Last Tree Laws reflects the importance of saving the trees, the whole environment and humanity before the last tree falls by working to change laws. A lack of democracy, corruption, and poverty is, after all, a cause of environmental degradation and clear cutting: trees need healthy democracies.

The inspiration for the name ‘Last Tree Laws’ was initially this: “When the last tree has been cut down, the last fish caught, the last river poisoned, only then will we realize that we cannot eat money.”

The Lorax is a children’s book written by Dr. Seuss which neatly explains the significance of the last tree to humanity. In the story, the Lorax is a little creature that speaks on behalf of trees, even as the Once-ler ignores him and continues to cut down the trees for profits until not a tree is left but for a seed.

The seed is all that is left behind in a world that has become dark, sad, and dreary from pollution, where before it was lush and bright from trees and sunlight. A child is given the seed, and told that nothing will get better unless “Someone like you cares a whole awful lot.”

Passion, effort, and individual choices, whether from children or CEOs, determine our path and create our environment.

Destroying Truffula trees leaves the Once-ler with a lonely future, pollution, and poverty. True wealth is in clean water, soil, plants, sunlight, and community, all as necessary to life as air. Caring for our environment allows sustenance, love, and beauty to coexist – making life worthwhile.

For our priceless environment and people, we need Last Tree Laws.