Village Raw - ISSUE 9

VILLAGE RAW
WHERE THERE’S A WILL,
THERE’S A WAY
In the absence of government leadership and action on climate
change, we have little option but to take matters into our own hands
- let’s start by planting more trees.
Words and photo by Chris King.
Many attempts are being made to create scalable carbon capture
and storage technologies to suck CO2 from the air, store it
and then use it. But within nature there already exists a means by
which this can be achieved that’s easily scalable. Planting trees
represents one of the most effective, affordable and attainable
means of tackling anthropogenic climate change, by capturing
and storing CO2 and locking it in the soil. Research has shown
that a worldwide tree planting programme could remove around
two thirds of all the human-generated greenhouse gas emissions
that currently exist within the atmosphere.
Of course the benefits of planting more trees, unlike carbon
capture and storage technology, does not stop at potential atmospheric
CO2 reduction. Trees can offer a defence against
flooding, landslides and soil erosion; they can help cool down cities;
they help maintain and support greater biodiversity; and can
help establish natural corridors for animals and insects to move
along. There are numerous other benefits from planting more
trees and we have all the knowledge and tools to move forward
with the programme today and reach the necessary targets in the
required timeframe.
The UK needs a net increase of 30,000 hectares of woodland
every year over the next 30 years in order to reach net zero carbon
emissions by 2050, according to the Committee on Climate
Change (CCC). Or 50,000 hectares if other reduction targets are
not met. That means planting at least 1.5 billion trees.
If we are to reach net zero carbon by 2030 - which many local
councils, including Haringey, have set as their target - then we
need to be planting 150 million trees every year. This may seem
a lot but is by no means unachievable - it simply requires the political
will to make it happen. We are in the midst of a crisis and
with the need for the trees to reach maturity in order to maximise
their full CO2 capture and storage potential, we must move forward
with this now.
But political will has been conspicuously absent within our
government. Over the past five years a total of just 44,900 hectares
has been planted, which is woefully inadequate and reflects
a general lack of engagement on the issue of climate change by
this Conservative government. If they stick to the pledge in their
latest party manifesto of “30 million trees a year” - and there are
no guarantees they will - that’s still 20 million trees a year less
than required to meet the minimum recommendations of the CCC
- the government’s own advisory body.
The recent election result will have an incredible impact on
the path and progression towards achieving the goals set out in
the Paris Agreement - and obtaining carbon neutrality. We will be
lacking the leadership necessary at government level to take immediate
and meaningful action in order to confront and mitigate
the impact of the unfolding climate crisis.
Business as usual - or indeed even less regulation and a continued
unwavering belief that the market will deliver the climate
action needed in a just and timely manner - is simply not an option.
However, while the government’s actions will most likely hinder
the pursuit of a carbon neutral society, we - the people - can
influence what legislation is written. It’s not only about how we
vote at an election that dictates how things progress but how we
vote through our actions - or lack of action - every single day.
Our economic and political system is broken and needs fundamental
changes but this will take time that we don’t have to
spare. So - in the absence of a government that represents the
needs of its citizens, that doesn’t ignore national and international
advisory committees and is willing to take the steps necessary
to avert the worst impacts of the climate crisis - we must
create local, citizen-led tree planting and rewilding initiatives.
Let’s stand up and do all we can - as if our lives and those of
our children and grandchildren depend on it - because they do. •
If you know of an active tree planting programme in north London then please get in touch
and we will share it with our readers. If you would be interested in working with Village
Raw in establishing a tree planting initiative, then get in touch at: hello@villageraw.com.
You can also read guidelines on how to plant trees in your garden or school here:
www.forestresearch.gov.uk/tools-and-resources/urban-tree-manual
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