Don’t Rely On Forests To Reduce Carbon Footprints, Study Suggests
Posted October 26, 2010 1:16 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Those who believe planting trees will clear the air and relieve the guilt associated with carbon footprints should come up with a new strategy, according to a recent report.
Researchers at the University of Guelph suggest governments and forest management officials shouldn’t rely on the world’s trees to counteract carbon emissions.
Higher carbon levels in the air haven’t spurred a spike in growth in 80 per cent of the trees researchers studied.
The results of this study should prompt governments to re-examine their strategy to reduce greenhouse gases, according to lead researcher Ze’ev Gedalof, because forests can no longer be counted on to lower carbon footprints.
Eighty-six species of trees were studied at approximately 2,300 sites on six continents.
The study was released the same day federal Environment Minister Jim Prentice released a statement on his participation in the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation conference in Japan.
Deforestation in tropical countries accounts for approximately 17 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions – that’s more than the global transportation sector.
