The Benefits of Reforestation

Guest post by Mircea Giurca

Climate change and reforestation

Global reforestation is an important environmental issue of growing concern. International programs like the United Nations  Initiative for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation  (UN-REDD) are key for implementing global programs for reducing deforestation, emissions through reforestation and aforestation projects.

Efforts to restore and establish global forest coverage have many benefits on a chemical, social and biological level.

Planting new trees can help to reduce the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane significantly contribute to a changing climate. Forest are an effective, natural carbon sink, soaking up much of the carbon emitted from burning fossil fuels. Reversing global deforestation is a key element of an effective mitigation strategy to fight global warming.

The many benefits of reforestation

Protecting species: In addition to the climate benefits, reforestation has the potential to preserve endangered species. A recovering forest restores habitat loss and degradation, leading threats to species health.

Erosion and watersheds: Deforestation damages and destroys habitats through erosion. Forest restoration can reverse the damage done by erosion. Regional watersheds, a vital resource for human development, adversely impacted by deforestation can be brought back to health through reforestation.

We can reverse the damage done, but only if we act.

The benefits of reforestation – and avoiding deforestation in the first place – are clear. Forests help to fight against global climate change and help restore endangered species from extinction. It will also enable humans to better address world hunger issues as well as issues dealing with water usage and availability. Anyone wanting to learn more about reforestation can take the time to find our more about this important environmental and social issue or contact their local agricultural offices to learn what can be done on a more local level.

You can get started with some basic deforestation facts. Everyone can make a difference in the environment. Reforestation is an easy and excellent place to begin to change the world.

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Mircea Giurca is an avid fighter against deforestation in Romania. He is always looking to contribute to volunteering projects, so get in touch with him if you have any!