Preserve Forests
Put Carbon Back in Plants & Soil
Plants are critical in the cooling cycle – by reducing surface temperature, increasing Earth’s heat absorption, reducing albedo heat reflection plus capturing & recycling both CO 2 (carbon) & water.
The Earth’s Annual Energy Budget
Primary forest destruction continues at pace - likely resulting in equal or more carbon emissions than fossil fuels.
2019 New York Declaration on Forests
“A story of large commitments and limited progress”. Despite efforts, there has been no reduction in the rate of forest loss globally.
Forest carbon is enormous – up to 1400 tonnes per hectare if both soil and biomass carbon are combined. The majority is in Boreal forests around the world.
Annual Forest Destruction ranges from 5- 15million hectares per year - - this equates to 5-20 BtC carbon released into the atmosphere.
Potentially more than fossil fuel emissions (10BtC)
Current hidden in current emission numbers
Source New York Declaration on forests 2019 The Guardian Sept 2019
All new terrestrial carbon capture is via plants with growth dominated by forests.
Annual Plant Carbon Capture
Net Primary Productivity ~62 BtC/yr
Carbon stocks in primary forests are enormous: >1600 BtC over an area of 1.1B hectares, or >50% total terrestrial carbon.
Preserving virgin forests — particularly the largest trees — is vital.
90% of recent forest destruction has been for oil palm and soy bean plantations.
Both products are widely used with growing demand.
Wide variations in plantation productivity suggest opportunity to improve yields, reducing the need to cut down more jungle.
Demand could reduce if regenerative grazing replaces the need for soy for animal feed.
Avoid encroachment - make palm oil & soy plantations more efficient.
Shift to Sustainable Wood Products (Leave Native Forests Alone)
Buy products from sustainable, certified sources in both temperate and tropical plantations.
Tragically, clearcutting primary jungle generates good prices for only 10% of felled trees. Selective harvesting does not work - dropping even a few giants threatens the entire ecosystem.
Adapt REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation)
Address REDD+ principles: keep big trees and stop selective logging. Reward keeping virgin forests.
Facilitate monetisation through carbon credits: pay owners not to cut.
Educate and celebrate national parks and old urban trees.
Proactively Refill/Refresh
Many jungle/forest areas are also becoming arid requiring help to rejuvenate and recover.
Proactive / tailored soil inoculation, managed grazing, composting / mulching can make huge impact.
Proactive replanting of native trees to refresh.
