In the forest we are overwhelmed by the color green, so much so that we can be unaware of what is happening all around us. The green we see is the reflected sunlight of the chlorophyll molecule. Chlorophyll is designed to use the red and blue light spectrum most efficiently in the process of growth called photosynthesis. The unwanted light spectrum is reflected back to us; to be perceived by our eyes as the color green.
Most life on earth depends on the process of photosynthesis either directly or indirectly. What about mushrooms? (you ask innocently). They grow in the dark, amirite?. This is true, however even the mushroom requires nutrients, usually in the form of decaying plant matter – stored sunlight.
The great web of life begins with the sun striking the humble chlorophyll molecule and, working with others within the plant, converting sunlight to mass. And it is going on all the time, kickstarting the food chain of our green earth. Does it get any cooler than that? I find myself looking closely at tree leaves to see if can discern the process with my naked eye, but the world does not expose her secrets so easily — a magician guarding her magic.
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