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
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 cannot be credited for retaining forests, instead gaining carbon credits by planting new trees.
There are some concerns in the scientific community as to the overall impact of trees on global warming (such as dark leaves absorbing more heat than pale ground) however the current consensus appears to be in favour of tree planting.
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:
www.treesforlife.org.uk Trees for Life aims to regenerate the Caledonian forest in the Scottish Highlands
www.reforestingscotland.org is a networking organisation of 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.
www.communitywoods.org represents and supports Scotland's community woodland groups
www.woodland-trust.org.uk Woodland conservation charity. Also have tree planting events aimed at children.
The Woodland Trust campaigns to protect ancient woods, improve woodland biodiversity, increase native woodland cover and increase understanding and enjoyment of woods.
with free learning activity sheets
www.scottishnativewoods.org.uk Woodland conservation charity based in Aberfeldy. Also have tree planting events aimed at children.
In particular, they run the growing up with trees project, involving primary school children with seed collection & nurturing their own native trees, through to planting.
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."
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