Why businesses should stop planting trees and start protecting forests

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on GreenBiz or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: The common corporate practice of tree planting is increasingly scrutinized for its effectiveness in addressing climate change and biodiversity loss
• Evidence suggests that the focus should shift towards protecting existing forests rather than planting new ones, due to the greater carbon sequestration and biodiversity benefits of mature ecosystems

🔭 The context: Several tree planting campaigns have led to negative outcomes, including biodiversity loss and destruction of non-forested ecosystems
• Additionally, tree planting often fails to keep pace with the rate of global forest loss

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Forest protection is deemed the most effective, immediate, and low-cost approach to enhance carbon sequestration and support biodiversity
• Protecting forests, especially those managed by Indigenous and rural communities, is crucial for preserving biodiversity and maximizing carbon storage potential

⏭️ What's next: Companies are encouraged to invest in forest protection and secure the rights of local communities for land management
• Urban tree planting, particularly in underserved communities, is highlighted as a beneficial use of tree planting efforts, contributing to improved air and water quality, temperature regulation, and overall quality of life

💬 One quote: "Protecting forests should take priority over planting new ones," emphasizing the importance of preserving existing ecosystems over creating artificial ones.

📈 One stat: 82 percent of the remaining intact forests have been degraded by human activity, highlighting the urgent need for focused protection efforts.

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