The Forestry Commission provides an overview of how trees provide a key way of addressing climate change – “there are two ways to reduce the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. We can reduce the amount we produce or we can develop ways to capture and store it. Trees have the unique ability to do both”.
There are several key roles that trees can play regarding global warming.
- Trees absorb the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide as they grow, giving it off again when they decompose (this storage of carbon is known as carbon sequestration)
- Trees provide habitats for a vast range of wildlife, under increasing stress due to global warming
- Tree roots help stabilise and hence conserve soil, preventing erosion and landslides and preserving these bioderverse environments
- and trees can help reduce temperatures in urban areas by shading buildings
- Currently around 80% of timber products are imported, so sourcing these products from the UK would also reduce transport impacts
Deforestation is a significant cause of global warming, with scientists believing that human-induced global deforestation is responsible for 18-25% of global climate change, contributing more to global emissions each year than the transport sector. But, under the Kyoto protocol, countries could not be credited for retaining forests, instead gaining carbon credits by planting new trees.
There are several ways that you can help retain and increase the tree population of the planet:
- Plant a tree yourself (and join the United Nations international Billion Tree Campaign)
- Source wooden products carefully to ensure that they have been responsibly produced. They could either be FSC accredited or sourced from a local sawmill.
- Support an organisation that plants trees – the following links are to Scottish groups involved with long term reforestation projects:
Trees for Life aims to regenerate the Caledonian forest in the Scottish Highlands
Reforesting Scotland is a charity networking those active in the ecological and social regeneration of Scotland, providing information on reforestation and promoting a well-forested and productive landscape as well as a culture which values the contribution that trees and woods bring to our lives.
The Community Woodlands Association represents and supports Scotland’s community woodland groups. Please find the time to watch the lovely film clip (link at bottom LHS of screen) which will give you a better understanding of why it is important to support this group.
The Woodland Trust is a charity campaigning to protect ancient woods, improve woodland biodiversity, increase native woodland cover and increase understanding and enjoyment of woods. with free learning activity sheets
Scottish Native Woods is a charity based in Aberfeldy, providing advice on preserving native woodlands
The Tree Council offers 75% grants to schools and community groups planting trees with under 16 year olds – deadline 31st March.
Scottish Natural Heritage is a Scottish Government body seeking to care for and sustain our natural environment, working with individuals, businesses, community groups, local and national Govenment, and carrying out research, providing advice and also grants
The Taiga Rescue Network is a global network of non-governmental organisations, individuals and native peoples, seeking the preservation and sustainable use of the world’s boreal forests (mainly coniferous forests in cold northern areas eg Canada, Russia)
Many carbon offset schemes offer tree planting as a way of compensating for your own carbon emissions, but Trees for Life provide an overview of why this may not be effective. And according to George Monbiot “But perhaps the most destructive effect of the carbon offset trade is that it allows us to believe we can carry on polluting. The government can keep building roads and airports and we can keep flying to Thailand for our holidays, as long as we purchase absolution by giving a few quid to a tree-planting company.”