Trees: nature’s carbon-capture machines

Nowadays, our newsfeeds are peppered with high-tech solutions to our global carbon emissions. So, why are more companies and organizations choosing to support forest restoration as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy – instead of picking these newer methods?

Well, they know what we know: that nature got it right the first time round. Trees are nature’s own carbon-capturing machines, and unlike artificial technologies, forests offer a whole host of bonus climate, environmental, and community-supporting benefits to boot.

Now, let’s discover why forest restoration is a superior climate solution, and why you should consider supporting it above, or alongside, high-tech alternatives.

Carbon sequestration and long-term storage

How good are forests at sequestering carbon?

First things first. Trees are highly effective at capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. They ought to be by now; they’ve been doing it for over 400 million years! Trees absorb CO2 from the atmosphere during photosynthesis and bind it into their woody biomass and leaves. They also transfer a portion of this carbon to the soil via their roots and leaf litter.

In fact, in 2019, a scientific study from Zurich’s Crowther Lab found that reforesting 900 million hectares of land with 1.2 trillion trees could sequester as much as 205 billion tonnes of carbon. Even their conservative revisions concluded that these restored ecosystems could store 100-200 billion tonnes of carbon.

So their carbon-capturing potential is impressive; why does this matter? Quite simply, CO2 levels in our atmosphere have now exceeded 426 parts per million (ppm) , which is well above 350 ppm: i.e. the level of CO2 agreed ‘safe’ by the world’s leading climate experts, scientists, and governments. This makes trees an incredibly useful tool in humanity’s climate-change-combatting toolbox – and one we think we should be taking full advantage of.

Of course, it isn’t as simple as racing to get as many available seedlings as possible into the ground. Woodlands are complicated, interconnected networks of living organisms, and healthy ecosystems made up of native species are what’s needed to maximize carbon storage (and make the most of all the other benefits forests provide). That’s why we use science-based methods to restore, regenerate and monitor these landscapes, and protect them from deforestation in the long run.

Ok, so forests are great at sequestering carbon, but how long can trees lock that carbon away for?

Forests: tried and tested carbon sinks

Forests can sequester carbon anywhere from decades to centuries (depending on the type of forest they are and the management practices used to steward them). As long as these unique ecosystems are protected, they provide a proven and sustainable carbon sink.

Aside from trees’ brilliantly natural carbon-capture ‘technology,’ let’s explore the many other advantages this nature-based solution brings to the table. We’ll start with forests’ overwhelmingly positive environmental impact.

The many environmental benefits of reforestation

Boosting biodiversity

Restoring degraded woodland improves biodiversity through a domino effect. Reintroducing native trees and vegetation provides the shelter and food that plants, insects, birds, mammals, and other forms of wildlife need to flourish.

Forests may also serve as wildlife corridors , allowing wildlife to move between habitats. These corridors are vital for allowing animals to breed, access resources, and maintain healthy populations.

Protecting forests to shield ourselves

Diverse and healthy forest ecosystems are more resilient to environmental stressors, like pests, diseases, and climate change. They can then act as protective buffers, shielding our communities and ecosystems from increasingly intense natural disasters like landslides, flash flooding, and storms.??

increasing soil health

Yes, it does. Tree roots prevent soil erosion by stabilizing soil and maintaining its structural integrity. They also contribute to soil health via leaf litter and decay – promoting nutrient cycling and enhancing the soil’s ability to retain water (which makes it more drought-resistant). Supporting the health of this carbon-rich soil keeps its sequestered carbon where we want it – underground.

Forests: living air fresheners

Trees improve the air quality for humans, animals, and plants. They filter toxic pollutants and particulates out of the air, providing clean oxygen and a healthier environment for us all.

Supporting the water cycle

Trees absorb water from the soil through their roots and release it through their leaves. This water then evaporates into the atmosphere, forming clouds and resulting in rain. The rain refreshes soil moisture, replenishes groundwater, and either runs off into bodies of water or infiltrates the soil, aided by tree root systems.

Given the increasing frequency of intense rainfall events, trees’ role in regulating evapotranspiration (the processes that move water from the land to the atmosphere via evaporation and transpiration) has become more important than ever.

Thanks to the 1.5°C global temperature increase, our atmosphere now holds 10.5% more uncondensed water vapor. Trees play a vital role in transforming this vapor into clouds and subsequent rain. They regulate rainfall patterns – refreshing water sources for humans and wildlife, and combatting drought and flooding.

As if this wasn’t already enough, bear in mind that water vapor itself is a potent greenhouse gas. By facilitating the transformation of water vapor into clouds and precipitation, forests manage its concentration in the atmosphere – further contributing to climate stability!

So, we’ve seen that protecting and restoring forest ecosystems offers a wealth of environmental advantages. Aside from those, what other benefits does it offer?

Economic and community benefits

Empowering communities and supporting income

Our restoration projects are locally-led, ensure everyone’s voices are heard, and specifically tailored to support community needs. This ensures full local support, ownership and responsibility for the forest. From Katanino in Zambia to Desa’a in Ethiopia, our projects engage community members in restoration and train them in forest-friendly, income-generating activities like beekeeping and sustainable farming.

The feel-good factor

As well as providing the resources local communities need (food, medicines, fuel and, grazing etc), introducing more trees and native greenery creates more green spaces for recreational and aesthetic enjoyment. This can create an increased sense of well-being and improve the quality of life of local communities and visitors to these areas.

Lower cost. Higher impact

Funding forest restoration offers more bang for your buck. It’s generally considered a more scalable and cheaper option than high-tech carbon capture, removal and storage (or usage) solutions. These technologies are typically associated with higher setup and running costs.

Rooting for restoration

Forest restoration and protection isn’t a silver bullet against climate change (spoiler alert: unfortunately, there isn’t one!) However, it is a powerful, proven, cost-effective and scalable tool for carbon sequestration and water vapor management.

When you consider all the other benefits this unique climate solution provides (biodiversity boosting, weather shielding, soil, air and water improvement, livelihood and well-being support, to name just a few!) it’s easy to understand why businesses and organisations are investing in tried and tested trees over new technologies.

Act now

The time to act is now. Forest and landscape restoration offers a holistic approach to climate change – mitigating environmental impact and offering hope of a sustainable future for all of us.

Interested in discovering more? Or maybe you’re ready to join the tree-volution? Learn more about supporting our restoration work here .