Tackling Climate Change: Is Planting Trees Really the Answer?

Did you know that 75% of UK adults are concerned about climate change? Although it sounds bleak, that is actually a very hopeful statistic – the more people worry about the planet, the better chance we have of saving it! From reducing plastic to using trains instead of cars, we can all do our bit to help the world. But what about planting trees? Could well-placed forests and woodlands really be the answer to our climate concerns? Let us take a look.

The Link Between Trees and Climate Change

Trees (or, in this case, forests) and our climate are intrinsically linked. Together the two work harmoniously to create the healthy, happy atmosphere our world needs to thrive. Trees are well-known for absorbing carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that is notorious for warming our planet, and releasing oxygen. In other words, they breathe in the bad stuff and breathe out the good.

Could Planting Trees Combat Our Carbon Emissions?

Tree planting could be an incredible way to keep the disastrous effects of climate change at bay. By planting more trees on degraded land, we can create forests which absorb and store the carbon dioxide already in the atmosphere, lowering its levels while also restoring the depleted soil, filtering air and water and adding vital shade area. Analysis of the world’s land found that 1.7 billion hectares are available for new forests, which would allow for 1.2 trillion native trees to be grown. By doing this we could see carbon dioxide levels drop by a third, which is incredible!

But Planting Isn’t Always the Answer

Planting trees will definitely help us to absorb carbon dioxide, but it is not necessarily the answer to saving the planet. Whilst forests can store large amounts of CO?, the real solution is to stop producing emissions altogether. Until this happens, trees will never be able to combat entirely our negative impact on the planet.

Focusing on Stopping Deforestation Needs to Come First

It is vital that we do not put so much focus on planting new trees that we forget about the ones already standing. The forests we have are huge carbon stores, with  CO? captured both in the trees themselves and in the soil in which they grow. When we destroy the forests, this CO? is mostly released back into the atmosphere, compounding the problem.

So whilst planting trees can be fantastic, it needs to be done alongside reducing our emissions, including from deforestation. One way to do this is through sustainable forest management. By monitoring the number of trees being felled, reducing disruption to the land and replanting new trees, the impact of our actions is greatly reduced. 

How Can You Help?

There are a number of ways you can help the effort to save our forests and reduce the effects of climate change. Here are some tips to get started:

• Go paperless wherever possible

• Cut down on beef (cattle farming is one of the biggest causes of deforestation)

• Always choose products from certified sustainable forests

Find Sustainably Sourced Timber at EcoChoice

At EcoChoice, we are well aware of the fine balance between cutting down trees for practical uses whilst not harming the planet. That is why we only ever source wood that has been third-party certified as coming from sustainably managed forests such as FSC certified areas. To learn more or find your perfect eco-friendly timber species, feel free to get in touch with our team today and we will be happy to help!

Image: G-Stock Studio / Shutterstock.com