Trees did not evolve solely for the purposes of carbon sequestration. Similarly, it would be silly to say that mammals are nature's best solution at sequestering oxygen.
One solution that I feel is regularly overlooked in these discussions is the establishment of kelp forests. Kelp grows at a far quicker rate than trees, requires no fresh water or land and has the added benefits of restoring marine ecosystems.
Down and out in Paris and London by George Orwell is an excellent insight into the life of a parisian dishwasher in the 1920s. Its also a great exploration of the lives of the working class in that time period.
Just Kids by Patti Smith is a beautiful look into the life of a poet and artist.