A total of 8 billion trees could be planted each year to replace the 15 billion trees that are currently being cut annually.
This article was first published by The Conversation. Space.com's Expert voices: Op-Ed and Insights was contributed by the publication.
Karen D. Holl is Professor of Restoration Ecology at the University of California, Santa Cruz
What would happen to Earth if we planted 8 billion trees per year for 20 years? Shivam K., age 14, Nawada, Bihar, India
Celebrities, YouTubers, politicians, and business leaders are calling for the planting millions, billions, or even trillions of trees in an effort to slow climate change.
Earth is home to nearly 8 billion people. A total of 160 billion trees could be planted each year if every person in the world planted one tree over the next 20-years.
Is it possible that massive tree planting could slow down climate change?
Carbon and trees
Global warming is caused by carbon dioxide. Photosynthesis is the process by which trees and other plants convert carbon dioxide from our atmosphere into carbohydrates. These carbohydrates are used to create stems, roots, and leaves.
There are many factors that affect the amount of carbon a tree can store. It all depends on the species of tree, its location and how old it has been.
Let's assume that the average tree absorbs 50 pounds of carbon dioxide per year. If you planted one tree each year for 20 years, it is unlikely that 20 trees would be able to absorb 1,000 pounds or half a tonne of carbon dioxide annually.
An average American produces 15.5 tons of carbon dioxide per year, compared to 1.9 tons in India. If every American planted one tree each year, it would offset about 3% of their carbon dioxide production each year. After all the 20 trees had matured. It would be 26% for someone in India.
While planting trees is a part of the solution for climate change, there are other important steps.
We must protect the trees that we have
Earth has approximately 3 trillion trees, which is less than the 12,000 year ago when human civilization began.
An estimated 15 billion trees are being cut each year. While most of these trees are found in tropical forests, deforestation continues to occur all over the globe.
It is a good idea to protect existing forests. They not only absorb carbon dioxide from the soil and trees, but also provide habitat for animals. Trees can be used to provide food and firewood for the people. They can provide shade and recreation spaces in cities.
Trees should not be planted in areas where they have never been grown before. These ecosystems are important habitats for plants and animals, and store carbon if left unaltered.
Do more
People need to do more than just plant trees to slow climate change. People must reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases quickly by switching to renewable energy sources like solar and wind. People should reduce their carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions by driving less and eating less meat. Meat has a higher carbon footprint per calorie that vegetables and grains.
Businesses, politicians, government officials, children, and adults all need to do their part in reducing fossil fuel emissions. It can be overwhelming to consider what one person can do for the planet. There are many options.
Volunteering with local conservation organizations can help you protect and restore habitats. Talk to your family about new lifestyle options, such as biking, walking, or using public transit instead of driving.
Don't be afraid to take on the responsibility of protecting trees locally and globally. Concerned about palm oil plantations in the rainforests, two 11-year-old Girl Scouts led an effort to remove palm oil from Girl Scout cookies.
Sometimes, change can be slow but people can work together to make it happen.
This article was republished by The Conversation under Creative Commons. You can read the original article.
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