It’s been nearly 5 months since we went carbon neutral, and today we’re going to talk about trees!
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned that global temperatures need to be kept from rising by more than 1.5°C – and we have already passed 1°C. We need to act now. The UK has pledged to be carbon neutral by 2050, but how can we achieve it?
We need to seriously reduce our emissions, and find a way of reducing the damage already done. Technology is being explored to remove CO2 – the biggest culprit – from the atmosphere, but they are expensive and complex.
There is a simpler solution – and it’s our most powerful weapon in the fight against climate change: trees.
Each month we are planting trees in developing countries but also the UK – to help make a difference to climate change at home, and abroad.
In addition, by restoring habitats and planting new native woodlands, we extend and create havens for wildlife, boosting biodiversity. This goes hand in hand with our planting to mitigate climate change.
With that in mind, below are some of the trees planting projects we have recently supported:
Forest Creation in Marston Vale – This project is a Community Forest and a Charity, planting trees and using woodlands to make life better for the people and wildlife in the 61 square mile area of the Marston Vale, between Bedford and Milton Keynes.
The Charity has planted over 2 million trees to transform the landscape and improve the prospects of the Marston Vale, because trees make life better – for people, for wildlife and for the planet. The Charity’s ultimate goal is 30% tree cover across the Forest and that means planting another 5 million trees.
Nicaforest Reforestation Program – The Nicaforest Program has 490 hectares of land under management and aims to contribute to the creation of a sustainable value-chain by working closely with local landowners in a Shared Benefit Scheme. The program plants teak and other valuable species for future timber production and added-value wood production as well as other measures aimed at increasing resilience in the local municipalities.
The project protects the remaining patches of native vegetation and creates additional conservation areas on the banks of rivers and other watersheds. The forests offer a natural habitat for native animals and plants, protect and enrich the soil, save and filter water and contribute to the mitigation of the greenhouse effect.