The article reflects on the author's personal challenges with perimenopause symptoms and searches for understanding through nature's examples of aging. It discusses how mature trees, leaf cutter ants, and orca whales illustrate that midlife can introduce new capacities, responsibilities, and contributions to ecosystems. The insights stress that, like these natural examples, aging in humans may also come with significant roles and adaptations that can benefit society and environment, while also reshaping how individuals view this life stage.
Mature trees in urban areas those 20 years and up remove higher levels of air pollution, sequester more carbon from the atmosphere and provide much more leaf area and shade than their younger counterparts.
As ants age and become less efficient at cutting leaves, they transition to different but no less vital tasks, including waste management, removing harmful fungus and managing waste.
Humans and orcas are two of only six mammals that experience menopause. This creates a unique relationship and contributions from elder females in the pods.
The insights surrounding midlife in other species show that aging can bring new roles and responsibilities, contributing significantly to overall ecosystem health and longevity.
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