From What's New: Stop Planting Trees, Says Guy Who Inspired World to Plant a Trillion Trees
May 29, 2024
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Ecologist Thomas Crowther challenges mass tree plantations as a solution and discusses the downsides of tree planting. He explores the complexities of tree restoration, greenwashing, COP 28, UAE's state oil firm's ambitious expansion, carbon storage, fossil fuel emissions, and the shift towards woodland preservation in climate solutions.
Mass tree planting may harm biodiversity and offer limited carbon drawdown capabilities.
Restoring intact woodlands is prioritized over planting new trees for more impactful climate change mitigation.
Deep dives
Skepticism on Mass Tree Planting as Climate Solution
Thomas Crowther, former UN chief scientific advisor, advocated for caution in mass tree plantations as a climate solution at COP 28. He highlighted that newly created forests have limited carbon drawdown capabilities and can harm biodiversity. Crowther's previous study on 1.2 trillion additional trees led to a tree planting frenzy, later corrected to acknowledge preserving existing forests as more impactful.
The Shift to Preserving Existing Forests
Crowther's recent study stresses preserving intact woodlands over tree planting as a more effective climate change strategy. Restoring destroyed forests could absorb 87 gigatons of carbon, while allowing existing forests to mature could sequester an additional 139 gigatons. This approach excludes urban and grazing areas. Crowther emphasizes the pivotal role of nature in combating climate change and the responsibility in commitments to nature.
Concerns of Overestimating Forest Restoration Potential
While Crowther's new research garners less criticism, concerns linger regarding overestimating forest restoration carbon potential, potentially encouraging misinterpretation and greenwashing. The effectiveness of restoration projects also depends on avoiding issues like sapling die-offs or evictions. Countries are taking steps to protect forests, with Norway and Brazil announcing significant donations, but challenges remain in financing and avoiding misuse of carbon credits.
We're bringing an extra episode from our show What's New.
Ecologist Thomas Crowther’s research inspired countless tree-planting campaigns, greenwashing, and attacks from scientists. Now he’s back with a new plan for nature restoration.