Introduction

The importance of trees in sustaining life on earth cannot be overemphasized. Trees help to reduce the effects of climate change by absorbing greenhouse gases, provide habitat for wildlife, and also provide us with food, medicine, and shelter. However, due to deforestation, urbanization, and other human activities, the world has lost a significant amount of its forest cover, and trees are being cut down at an alarming rate. One way to combat this is through reforestation and planting of new trees. In this article, we will examine how many trees are planted per year globally and the efforts being made to increase this figure.

Current Tree Planting Trends

Currently, about 15 billion trees are planted each year globally. This figure includes both natural regeneration through the natural spread of seeds and the deliberate planting of trees. China alone accounts for almost half of all new tree plantations globally, with a reported 7.4 billion trees being planted every year. Other countries with significant reforestation efforts include India, Ethiopia, Pakistan, and Brazil.

Efforts to Increase Tree Planting

In recent years, there have been several global initiatives aimed at increasing tree planting efforts around the world. The Bonn Challenge, for instance, is a global effort aimed at restoring 150 million hectares of deforested and degraded lands by 2020, and 350 million hectares by 2030. As of 2019, more than 59 countries and sub-national governments, as well as over 200 private organizations, have pledged to restore more than 170 million hectares of degraded land through this initiative.

The Trillion Trees Initiative is another global effort aimed at restoring one trillion trees by 2050 to help combat climate change. The initiative is a partnership between several organizations, including the World Economic Forum, BirdLife International, and the Wildlife Conservation Society, among others.

Challenges to Tree Planting

Despite these initiatives and achievements, there are still significant challenges to increasing global tree planting. One major barrier is the lack of funds and resources, especially in developing countries that have the highest potential for reforestation. There is also the issue of land availability, as many countries have competing demands for the use of land. Furthermore, climate change, natural disasters, and pests and diseases also pose a significant threat to tree planting efforts.

Conclusion

In conclusion, tree planting is a crucial part of efforts to combat climate change and restore degraded environments. While current efforts have seen significant achievements, more needs to be done to increase the number of trees being planted per year globally. Initiatives like the Bonn Challenge and the Trillion Trees Initiative have shown that a collaborative approach involving governments, private organizations, and individuals can make a significant impact. However, there is still a long way to go, and continued efforts are needed to protect and conserve our planet's forests and the life they sustain.