How Many Trees Are Being Planted

There is a growing global consciousness about the importance of planting trees to combat climate change. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, provide habitat for wildlife, and help regulate the water cycle. But how many trees are actually being planted, and is it enough to make a difference?

The Trillion Trees Campaign

In 2019, the Trillion Trees Campaign was launched, with the goal of planting one trillion trees by 2030. The campaign is a partnership between three major conservation organizations: BirdLife International, Wildlife Conservation Society, and WWF. They estimate that planting one trillion trees could capture about 205 gigatons of carbon over the course of the trees' lifetimes.

So far, the campaign has gained significant momentum, with governments and companies around the world pledging to plant trees or support reforestation efforts. In January 2020, the World Economic Forum launched a new initiative, 1t.org, which aims to help scale up the Trillion Trees Campaign and mobilize action on a global scale.

The State of Global Tree Cover

Despite the growing awareness of the importance of trees, the world is still losing forests at an alarming rate. According to the Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020, published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the world lost an average of 10 million hectares of forest per year between 2015 and 2020. That's an area the size of Switzerland.

The report also notes that about 420 million hectares of forest have been lost since 1990, mostly due to conversion of forest land to agricultural land, infrastructure development, and natural disasters. Deforestation is a major contributor to climate change, accounting for about 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

What Can Individuals Do?

While governments and companies play an important role in supporting reforestation efforts, it's also important for individuals to take action. Here are a few ways you can help plant more trees:

Participate in local tree planting events

Support organizations that plant trees

Reduce your own carbon footprint to limit the need for new trees to be planted

Avoid products derived from deforested land, such as palm oil

Choose recycled paper products

While planting one trillion trees may seem like a daunting task, it's important to remember that every little bit counts. Whether it's planting a tree in your backyard, supporting a reforestation effort, or making changes in your own life to reduce your impact, every action helps move us towards a greener, more sustainable future.