Spiral up, or spiral down?

Two recent developments are very much interrelated and have forests as a common enabler. Let me explain why these developments underscore the importance and urgency of restoring and protecting forests.

Firstly the acknowledgement of the fact that the ‘window of opportunity’ of maintaining a climate system in which humanity can flourish, is rapidly closing. A recent article on Dutch news site Nu.nl explained clearly that the world has a limited carbon budget it can emit before reaching the threshold of 1,5 degrees. Beyond that the chances of runaway climate change – in which natural carbon storage systems (sinks) such as landscapes and oceans – actually become natural carbon emitters due to for instance the drying out of peatlands and wetlands. This rapidly closing window of opportunity emphasize the fact that short-term climate action is much more important than long-term agreements and commitments. Yes, there is a need for clear and ambitious, science-based targets in 2030 and 2050, but much important are direct actions lowering GHG emissions and offsetting the emissions that are at the moment still unavoidable.

Forests play a crucial role in this. Every tree felled is less natural CO2 absorption. The most (cost)effective way to mitigate our GHG emissions in the short term is acknowledging and valuating this natural CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) mechanism and end deforestation immediately. In addition we need to restore degraded lands and forests to boost this natural uptake potential.

The second development is the increase in wildfires around the world. Records on number, size and impact are broken on almost every continent this year. Reuters published a daunting list of recent and ongoing wildfires and scientists commented that ‘once relatively rare events have become increasingly frequent and fierce, fuelled by the growing menace of climate change’. Forests are often struck by wildfires. Sometimes due to natural events such as lightning strikes, sometimes because of human ignorance (tossed cigarette or glass) but often because of intentional actions, especially in the tropics. These fires emit CO2 and diminish the CO2 absorption capacity of the forest landscape. A double edged sword in a time when every ton of CO2 matters.

So forests are a nexus in the global climate system. They are an indispensable natural climate solution that can help us maintain a window of opportunity for the coming years in which we drastically lower our emissions. And they become a source of additional emissions if we do not protect and restore them. That is why forest protection and restoration is so hugely important. Now. And on a big scale. This is the decade to deliver.

Treevive is an impact-driven company that enables the conservation, restoration, and sustainable management of 2 million hectares of tropical forest landscapes by 2030. We close the gap between forest landscape projects in need of financial and/ or technical support and companies and investors that seek high-quality, bankable projects for their biodiversity and carbon commitments. Treevive acts as a revolving structure; generated profits flow forward to finance new forest projects.

Engage with us if you want to contribute to the largescale protection and restoration of tropical forests!