How can we implement a global system for ReForestation in the short term, to stabilise climate Change?

Question

In my view,Reforestation, that is, planting trees, NOW on mass on a global level, will reduce the speed at which our planet warms up, within 20 years we could have replaced much of the deforested areas of our globe with new forests. These could be sustainably managed and produce high returns both financially (economically) and environmentally(climate stability) but how do we get this to happen? The right trees must be sown, no all pine trees! But Broadleaf trees to aid seasonal changes, fruit and nut trees for high yields of vitamins and protein and other trees that will suport the flora and fauna of local areas..come on mankind..stop talking and just do it!..Ah but how? Seeding from the air using fertiliser pellets would be one way, massive corporate and government efforts are needed here.Are there any powerful organisations willing to get involved?

Answer 1

one way to cut down on are tree use is pot plants  1acre of pot will make as much paper as 4acres of trees and it grows back every year

Answer 2

The current system of economic incentives encourages deforestation.  In Canada, vast tracts of boreal forest have been clearcut to make cheap paper.  The satellite images of northern Ontario on google earth are shocking.  There are thin strips of forest along the highways for the public to see and nothing left in vast areas erstwhile out of public sight.  The local forestry companies are competing with third world companies and cannot afford the cost of replanting the forests.  Current practices are not sustainable:  there will not be any forest left.  The solution is to alter the economic incentives.  Currently, the present cash value of a clearcut forest is higher than the future value of a standing forest.  The incentive is to cut the forest as fast as possible and to re-invest the cash.  The equation should be rebalanced.  Do not issue any cutting rights on public lands in  North America for virgin forests.  The forestry companies should be required to post a bond equal to the cost of reforesting plus the future value of that forest prior to being allowed to cut on public lands. The forestry companies should be required replant what they cut on public lands and be entitled to a refund of the bond only after the replanted forest has the same biomass and biodiversity as the cut forest.  This will force the companies to do a proper job of reforestation.  The forestry companies should be allowed future harvests only on lands that they have already cut.  If they don't replant and harvest at a sustainable rate, they should not be in business.  The price of paper will rise as a consequence.  Domestic companies ought to be protected from foreign competitors that do not work by the same rules, so that they can remain profitable if they are good stewards of the land.

Answer 3

Deforestation is a smallish contribution to the problem, so reforestation will be a smallish response.  

The problem is further complicated by habitat chance: if current forests are threatened by current, relatively slow warming, won't reforested areas be threatened even more by the accelerating warming to come?

Would we plant trees for today's climate or for the temperatures of 2100 (in which case they might not survive or grow well now)?  Do we plant for today's rainfall, or for a drier, desert-like climate in the future?

Young trees also do not capture much carbon dioxide, so reforestation is a nice thought but it will take many decades to deliver an impact.

The only effective way to slow global warming is to halt deforestation of mature forests now and to dramatically cut greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible.

Answer 4

The environmentalists now say that if a redwood tree blocks your solar panel you can chop it down.  Of course we know now that they're a bunch of socialists who care nothing about the planet.

I'm not sure what to do about deforestation in poor countries or indeed any country besides the US, since we can't enforce rules on them.   Besides we should respect their freedom.

As for the US, we have more trees today than we had 200 years ago, thanks mostly to the paper industries which plant new trees all the time.

Answer 5

One problem. People live in those deforestated areas. In third world countries, they're practically squeezed in. Wherever else that plan can be implemented, it's a good idea.

*There are some large scale tree planting organisations out there, who could be pestered into treating it like a full scale emergency.

*Bamboo absorbs much more carbon than other trees during growth.

*The carbon producing corporations may be interested in sponsoring mass tree-planting, in order to boost their public image.

*Sticking to international agreements on climate change will benefit, as will publicizing the issue even more.

Answer 6

I thought environmentalists were against "messing with mother nature...."    

Also, I'd take the issue out of the context of global warming.

I've often wondered why in city settings every city in the Northeast US plants sugar maples up and down every street.   They're cheap I know and their leaves a bright in fall - but there used to be more diversity, with oaks, walnuts, chestnuts, etc....   In cities they plant those fern-type trees with orange flowers - because it's tough to kill those even if you try.   But they're so associated with inner cities now - we called them 'welfare trees' when we were growing up - and they still lose their leaves for six months of the year.   Why not plant pines, which grow straight up and don't lose their leaves and look barren from October through April?

Answer 7

hmmm....so we should recover farmland to grow trees.  We'll all starve, but we'll do it a fractional degree cooler than we had to deal with while having enough to eat.

....or we should bulldoze homes to grow trees.  I hope the canopy makes as good a shelter as a roof.

....or we should introduce non-native plants in areas and hope they don't choke off native species, or carry non-native diseases.  Kudzu works wonders down here in the South....and hardwood trees quickly become diseased from our high humidity and warm weather (fungus and mold make them rot where they stand).

....or we should...

Maybe we should let land owners dictate the best way to use the land they own (otherwise they really don't own it, do they?)  You're more than welcome to plant any and all trees you want in your own property.