That's the real question, isn't it? How many trees are needed to sequester the carbon sent into the atmosphere by human beings? Can we plant that many? Can we go back to our old atmosphere?
It is a question I have been asking myself a lot recently, so I thought I would find out just how many trees it would take to sequester that much carbon.
Some Reforestation Calculations
My quick and dirty research reveals differing figures with respect to current deforestation rates. My calculations below rely on very shaky suppositions and, therefore, will need to be refined in future articles. However, the numbers are worth considering.
This gentleman has done the math for us and has determined that, if we were to reforest an area the size of Texas (about 50 million hectares) every year, we would sequester the amount of carbon emitted every year by human beings -- with caveats. The benefit would not be immediate, the scheme does not reverse but only stops the current trend, and this scheme is only good until we run out of room for forests.
According to this Deforestation Report, thanks to the University of Michigan, the amount of tropical deforestation that has occurred to date, due to human interference, is approximately 800 million hectares (one half of the total tropical forest that once existed). Therefore, if we were to replant all tropical forests at a rate that to equal our current carbon emission, we would do so in 16 years. After that, we would need to replant non-tropical forests and find another method of sequestering carbon. Of course, this assumes that the land is available, not being used for other purposes or owned by people who have an interest in seeing it remain cleared.
According to Wikipedia, the world continues to lose about 13.7 million hectares of forested land every year. In that case, we actually need to replace that forest, as well. So we would need to plant about 64 million hectares per year in total.
It All Comes Down To You
Replanting a hectare of forest requires about 2000 trees. That's about $200 per hectare if we use the low-cost model perfected by the Eden Projects. That's about $13 billion per year that needs to be spent, worldwide, on reforestation projects if we are to tackle this challenge. Sound like a lot of money? That's less than .09% of the US GDP. Not so much, really. That's about $41 for every US citizen.
For $41 apiece per year, less than $4 per month, we could start to stabilize back global warming without even replacing our light bulbs with compact fluorescents. And that's assuming that no other nation is willing to help foot the bill. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, since 2001, have cost more than 100 times that.
Imagine the impact if we every caring person contributed $10 per month for reforestation, then re-insulated our attics, changed our light bulbs and ate 50% less red meat!
Don't Give Up!
It is so easy for us to throw up our hands and say "it can't be done". Yes, it will be a challenge. And, yes, we need new technologies to help us reduce the amount of carbon we release into the atmosphere. But can we afford to dismiss reforestation? Even if we can only replant half of the forests that have been lost, think of how much better off we would be for the effort!
And consider the alternative. I mean really, consider it. Most of us understand that, by the time our great-grandchildren are born, the world will not be livable -- assuming the current trend continues. Yet we put the blinders on as if there is nothing to be done. We'll spend a trillion dollars to topple a third-rate dictator but continue to spend nothing on reforestation.
Finally, please consider the match I offered in my previous article and make a pledge to the Eden Projects. So far, I have no takers but I know you're out there! It's going to take a movement to make this happen so pass it along!
p.s. I suspect that my math is not perfect in the above. Please feel free to correct it where it has failed.
Here it is! A new blog dedicated to raising awareness, commitment, and money for reforestation projects.
Sitting in my dining room in Providence, it is hard to imagine what impact I can have on the global warming crisis in which we find ourselves today. We have reached a landmark 400 parts per million CO2 concentration in the atmosphere. According to Wikipedia and just about every other authority on the matter, this may be our highest reading in 20 million years.
We need to do something. So I began to wonder, just what is it that I can do? I have already changed my light bulbs to compact fluorescents. I have already insulated my house. I eat very little meat. I use only "renewable energy" from National Grid. I compost, I reduce, reuse, recycle... I even bought a nice, fuel-efficient Hyundai Elantra last year. Did it make a difference? I don't kid myself. If everyone in the world lived the way I do, we would still be plummeting into the carbon abyss.
So what can be done?
Many people feel hopeless at this point. In fact, I felt that way myself until very recently when I started reading about reforestation.
Reforestation is a Viable, Achievable, Sustainable Solution
The debate always seems to come down to the old, frustrating discussion of how to get people and businesses to stop emitting so much CO2. We all consume too much. This must be part of the solution. We all need to live more responsibly. But it is the most difficult solution to the problem because it is impossible to make everyone else do it. If your neighbor drives a Hummer, how to you offset that? Well, the good news is you can. And the solution is right in front of our faces every day: Trees. Not just a few trees. Not just a tree in your back yard. No, millions and millions and millions of trees.
Here is the simple equation that can solve our problems in 30 years:
- Millions of starving victims of deforestation +
- Lots of first world folks with a little extra money and lots of good intentions +
- A network of trainers who can put these victims to work planting, raising and protecting trees for as little as 10 cents apiece. Yes, just 10 cents apiece.
Billions of Trees
The great news is that this network is being built as we speak! For as little as $10/month you can pay for 100 trees to be planted by donating to the The Eden Projects. If this wonderful organization can continue to scale their work, they can literally save the world for your grandchildren. They have the solution but they need LOTS AND LOTS of money to implement it on a scale that will accomplish this herculean feat.
Carbon Offset Calculator
Check out your own carbon footprint with this carbon calculator. Remember, you need not only to offset your own current consumption but also all of your past consumption and that of a number of other people who do not understand the importance of this move. A very modest contribution of $10 per month will (by tree maturity) offset the current consumption of, perhaps, 30 average Americans. Consider that! For perhaps 10% of the money you spend on heating oil or natural gas, you can:
- Employ one person in impoverished Ethiopia, Madagascar or Haiti
- Plant enough trees to make a difference
Begin Small. Tithe 5%
What can you contribute to save the world? I am currently giving 5% of my net income after expenses to The Eden Projects. I will, however, give up to 10% if I can inspire some matching donations. Please tell me how much you are willing to give this year. I will match it up to my maximum. Let's do this, folks. It may be the most important decision you make this year!
