Is Mass Tree Planting the Climate Cure-All? Tree Expert Says No

The scientist behind the trillion tree campaign now warns of overstating the benefits

• Thomas Crowther's 2019 study sparked a surge in mass tree-planting efforts for climate change.

• He now cautions the carbon reduction potential is often exaggerated, and it can displace Indigenous peoples or harm ecosystems.

• Crowther advises prioritizing preserving existing forests and using ethical, biodiversity-friendly restoration to complement urgent emissions cuts.

The scientist behind the push to plant a trillion trees now argues that mass tree planting often harms climate change and biodiversity more than good. He explains the issues and gives recommendations for ethical, effective ecosystem restoration.

Photo by Zoe Schaeffer on Unsplash