What are the links between forests and climate change?

Trees absorb carbon dioxide and are vital carbon sinks. It is estimated that the world’s forests store 283 Giga-tons of carbon in their biomass alone, and that carbon stored in forest biomass, deadwood, litter and soil together is roughly 50 per cent more than the carbon in the atmosphere.

Carbon in forest biomass decreased in Africa, Asia and South America in the period 1990–2005. For the world as a whole, carbon stocks in forest biomass decreased annually by 1.1 Giga-ton of carbon (equivalent to 4 billion 25kg sacks of charcoal).

The loss of natural forests around the world contributes more to global emissions each year than the transport sector. Curbing deforestation is a highly cost-effective way to reduce emissions. Other solutions include increased energy efficiency, reduced energy demand, better transport and the use of green energy. Source UNEP


What is the deforestation rate on Earth?

World population currently stands at 6.5 billion people. It is projected to grow to 9 billion by 2042. The expansion of agricultural and industrial needs, population growth, poverty, landlessness and consumer demand are the major driving forces behind deforestation. Most deforestation is due to conversion of forests to agricultural land. Global removals of wood for timber and fuel amounted to 3.1 billion cubic meters in 2005.

Worldwide, deforestation continues at an alarming rate, about 13 million hectares per year, an area the size of Greece or Nicaragua. Africa and South America have the largest net loss of forests. In Africa it is estimated that nearly half of the forest loss was due to removal of wood fuel. Forests in Europe are expanding. Asia, which had a net loss in the 1990s, reported a net gain of forests in the past five years, primarily due to large-scale forestation in China.

Forest planting and the natural expansion of forests help to reduce the net loss of forests. The net change in forested area in the period 2000–2005 is estimated at 7.3 million hectares a year (an area about the size of Sierra Leone or Panama), down from 8.9 million hectares a year in the period 1990–2000. Source UNEP


Where should trees be planted as a priority?

Favorable growing conditions give nations in the southern hemisphere an advantage over most industrial countries in the economics of wood production. Plantations in the south can produce 10–20 cubic metres of wood per hectare per year, considerably more than plantations in most northern temperate regions and 10–20 times the typical productivity of natural forests worldwide.

The Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign encourages the planting of trees in four key areas, namely: (i) degraded natural forests and wilderness areas; (ii) farms and rural landscapes; (iii) sustainably managed plantations; and (iv) urban environments. Trees have to be well adapted to local conditions, and mixtures of species are preferred over monocultures. Many trees have communal benefits, especially for the poor, and ownership, access and use rights are as important as the number of trees. Source UNEP


What are the positive effects of tree planting on the environment?

For the environment, the main positive consequences of planting trees are:

• Counteracts climate change
• Fights deforestation
• Stops desertification
• Offsets CO2 levels
• Improves access to water
• Regenerates the soil and increases it's productivity
• Improves animal living conditions and survival


What are the Positive effects of tree planting for the local communities?

For local populations, the main positive consequences of planting trees are:

• Fighting poverty
• Providing fruits for eating and medicinal purposes
• Supplying wood for construction and heating
• Providing for a new source of revenues for the local population
• Increasing the agricultural output at the border of the plantation


How many trees should I plant to save the planet?

As much as possible!

According to the UNEP, the world would have to plant 10 Billion trees during 10 years to repair the damage done during the last 10 years. We therefore hope that you can plant as many trees as possible, be it with Tree-Nation or in your own garden or in the city if you find a nice spot.

Of course your engagement for the planet has some costs. For limited budgets we created Tree-Actions which allow you to plant trees for free by becoming an active member in Tree-Nation.