How to Plant Trees to Fight Climate Change

Climate change is one of the biggest issues in the world right now, so you may be wondering what you can do to help. If you want to give back to the environment and help reduce greenhouse gases, planting trees is a great natural solution. We have the answers to some of your most pressing questions, so keep reading to learn how you can go green and keep our planet safe for years to come!

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]How does planting trees help the environment?

1. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air. When trees go through photosynthesis, they take in carbon dioxide and convert it into energy to grow taller and make more leaves. They then store the carbon inside their trunks before producing oxygen.^[1] Since carbon dioxide is one of the main greenhouse gases that makes our planet warmer, trees play an important role in controlling the climate.^[2]
   
   • Trees hold onto carbon for as long as they’re alive. Since many trees live for around 50–100 years, they can be great long-term solutions.

[Edit]What are the best trees to plant to combat climate change?

1. Broad-leafed deciduous trees trap more carbon dioxide. Deciduous trees lose their leaves every year, but they absorb a lot of carbon when they’re in the growing season. Since their leaves are larger, they absorb a lot more sunlight and carbon dioxide to convert to energy.^[3] Fast-growing trees like maple, oak, and catalpa are great options since they'll start trapping carbon dioxide sooner than slower-growing trees.^[4]
   
   • Look for trees that are native to your location since they’ll grow better in their natural environment. Visit a local plant nursery and ask the employees for their recommendations.
   • Plant a diverse mix of trees rather than only planting one species. That way, you also promote biodiversity and are less likely to spread tree-specific pests or diseases between them.
2. Coniferous pine trees absorb less carbon dioxide, but do it all year. Since pine trees have smaller needles, they don’t absorb as much carbon dioxide. However, they can still be effective to help fight against climate change since they don’t drop their needles in the winter. Some conifers you can try planting include blue spruce, white pine, Hispaniola, and Ponderosa.^[5]
   
   • Try planting your trees around September or November when they’re dormant. This helps them establish a large and healthy root system.

[Edit]How many trees should I plant to offset my carbon footprint?

1. It takes about 1,025 trees to offset 1 person’s emissions. On average, you create a whopping 16 tons of carbon dioxide during the year. Since a large tree can absorb about of carbon dioxide every year, you’ll need quite a few trees to completely get rid of your emissions. Even though 1,025 trees sounds like a lot, planting 8–9 trees a month for the next 10 years can help you reach that goal.^[6]
   
   • Trees can get a bit expensive and take up a lot of space. If you don’t have the room or budget for your own trees, donate to an initiative and non-profit organization that can plant trees in your name.
   • Do what you can to reduce your own carbon footprint at home, such as turning off and unplugging electronics, biking or taking public transportation, and limiting how often you use single-use products.

[Edit]How many trees do we need to plant to stop climate change?

1. A half-trillion trees could reduce carbon dioxide by 25%. That’s about equivalent to half of the carbon we’ve emitted to our planet since 1960. While that’s a lot of trees we need to plant, it’s not impossible to do since we have a lot of areas where we can restore or plant forests. If we all put forth the effort and plant a few trees, we can help close the gap and make our planet safer and healthier.^[7]
   
   • There’s a lot of conflicting research between scientists about whether or not planting enough trees is possible or will actually help the environment. Many of the arguments state trees need to grow to maturity before they’re fully effective and climate conditions keep changing.

[Edit]How can we save trees?

1. Limit how much paper you’re using. Trees get cut down to make new paper, so try to use the paper that you do have as efficiently as you can. Buy paper made from recycled products and be sure you write on both sides of the sheet before getting rid of it. Rather than wasting new sheets, use scrap paper to take notes, sketch, or make crafts.^[8]
   
   • If you pack lunch in a brown paper bag, consider getting a reusable lunch box instead.
   • If you’re a bookworm, shop at used book stores or borrow books from your local library rather than buying new copies. You can even donate old books that you don’t read anymore.
2. Recycle paper and cardboard so trees don’t need to get cut down. Recycling reduces emissions from production and prevents deforestation to make new products. Rather than tossing old paper products with the rest of your trash, separate it into a separate bin to take to a recycling center instead.^[9]
   
   • If you put paper in the trash, it will go to a landfill and could contribute to methane emissions, which is a greenhouse gas 21 times worse than carbon dioxide.
3. Put out fires completely before leaving them.
   
   Forest fires damage a lot of healthy trees and contribute harmful chemicals to the atmosphere. If you’re having an outdoor fire, completely extinguish the flames and embers so you don’t risk it catching and spreading. Similarly, throw away lit cigarettes in proper containers rather than tossing them on the ground.^[10]
   • If you see any unattended fires, immediately contact your local fire department to put them out.
   • Check the fire conditions in your area before lighting anything. If there’s a drought or severe burn risk, don’t start any fires since it’s more likely to spread.

[Edit]Will planting trees stop global warming?

1. Planting trees won’t stop global warming by itself. While trees will help control some carbon emissions in the air, we still produce a lot more than what forests can absorb. Stay aware of your carbon footprint and do everything you can to bring it down. If we can all lower our emissions as well as plant trees, we have a better chance at saving the planet from climate change.^[11]
   

[Edit]References

1. ↑ https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/climate-solutions/trillion-tree-reforestation-climate-change-philippines/
2. ↑ https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-00122-z
3. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/04/science/how-many-pounds-of-carbon-dioxide-does-our-forest-absorb.html
4. ↑ https://www.mprnews.org/story/2019/09/27/climate-curious-what-are-the-best-carboncapturing-trees-to-plant
5. ↑ https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200504-which-trees-reduce-air-pollution-best
6. ↑ https://savingnature.com/offset-your-carbon-footprint-carbon-calculator/
7. ↑ https://climate.nasa.gov/news/2927/examining-the-viability-of-planting-trees-to-help-mitigate-climate-change/
8. ↑ http://goexplorenature.com/2013/04/7-ways-kids-can-help-save-trees.html
9. ↑ https://www.greenamerica.org/save-trees/why-recycled-paper
10. ↑ https://www.accuweather.com/en/accuweather-ready/simple-steps-to-prevent-wildfires/686346
11. ↑ https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200521-planting-trees-doesnt-always-help-with-climate-change