In order to achieve stabilization of global temperatures as called for by the international climate goals, we need to reach net-zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050. And while turning away from fossil fuels to clean energy sources is an essential step, a recent study suggests that the best solution to fighting climate change is also the simplest: plant more forests.
The analysis revealed that, currently, the planet could support 4.4 billion hectares of forest. About 2.8 billion hectares already exist, which means more than 1.6 billion hectares are available for forest restoration. When the team excluded land already in use for urban and agricultural areas, they found there are 0.9 billion hectares of land available for planting forests. That’s enough trees to store up to two-thirds of the carbon emissions from human activities.
