Trees – The true climate saviours

The increasing global warming all over the world is a great threat to mankind and to the environment. With increase in such activities every day, it is becoming difficult to control the climate and resultantly the harmful effects of climate are being born by each one of us. Nearly about 0.9 billion hectares of land across the world can be effectively be subjected to reforestation. The trees grown over this area, would capture almost 2/3rd of human made carbon emissions. According to one of the studies published by the Crowther Lab of ETH Zurich, this is the best possible method of tackling the changes in climate. The Crowther Lab at ETH Zurich has analysed and observed the nature-based methods to climate change. In the most recent study conducted by the researchers, the researchers have depicted that where exactly in the world, new trees could grow and exactly how much carbon can they accumulate. The main author of the study who is also postdoc at the Crowther Lab, Mr. Jean-François Bastin clarified that one of the aspects that was of immense importance to all of us are the calculations: The exclusion of cities and agricultural areas from the total restoration potential as these areas are deeply needed for human life. As per the researchers, in the present day’s climatic conditions, the Earth can support about .4 billion hectares of continuous tree cover. This figure is nearly 1.6 billion more than the currently existing 2.8 billion hectares. Out of this 1.6 billion hectare, almost 0.9 billion hectare is not being utilised by humans. This makes one fact clear that as on date an area nearly equal to the size of the United States is available with us for tree restoration. Upon maturity, the newly grown forests shall consist of the capability of storing about 205 billion tonnes of carbon. Prof. Thomas Crowther, co-author of the study stated that we all are well aware that reforestation is a great phenomenon to practise and it shall have a remarkable impact but the study makes it more evident that reforestation is the best solution for controlling the changes in climate. It is important to be aware that the restoration of forests is not a quick phenomenon. If we wish to do so, we have to start doing it from today itself. It takes decades for trees to mature and achieve their true potential.
By: Preeti Narula
Source Link: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/07/190704191350.htm