Carbon Sequestering
It has been suggested that planting and maintaining trees may be a method of reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the atmosphere, thus helping to control climate change caused by man-made emissions. Plants absorb CO2 from the atmosphere during photosynthesis and in this way, the carbon is locked up (sequestered) until the plant dies and natural processes of breakdown releases the carbon back into the soil and atmosphere.
There are now various schemes whereby
people or companies can contribute money, usually proportional to
their carbon emission contribution, towards reforestation or woodland
expansion.
However, there
are several issues surrounding this:
- The level and effectiveness of carbon sequestering in trees is not universally agreed, and so it is not certain that this is a solution.
- The forests must be maintained long enough to offset the excess emissions. However, it can be difficult to safeguard forests long term, especially in countries where there is economic and political uncertainty.
- There are arguments over whether there is room for additional forests with increasing human pressures on land. However, advocates suggest that there is plenty of low quality, otherwise unusable land available.
- There are many available technologies and simple methods of reducing our energy use and emissions. However, the idea of a cure, via tree planting, may result in a lack of implementation of emission reduction strategies, even though there is no proof that this cure will work.
The overwhelming conclusion is that Reduction of Emission should remain the main focus to combat climate change. It is important that the tree planting schemes are not used as an excuse for continuing to produce emissions at current levels. However, carbon sequestering may be a useful tool to supplement programmes of emission reduction.
Further Information
| Future Forests | Tel: 0870 241 1932 | 4 Great
James Street |
| Future Forests is a consultancy with a carbon sequestration scheme, known as Carbon Neutral® and has a network for companies which provides case studies, products and best practice for reducing carbon emissions. | ||
| Climate Care | Tel: 01865 207 000 Fax: 01865 201 900 |
115
Magdalen Road |
| This is a company that works in carbon sequestration. Individuals or companies can contribute a certain amount, proportional to their carbon emissions. This money will be invested in forest restoration, renewable energy and energy efficiency schemes. They have a logo which can be used by companies that contribute. | ||
| The Global Cooling Centre | No telephone number | Trees for the Future |
| The Global Cooling Centre has developed a programme for companies and individuals wishing to plant trees and take personal responsibility. The trees can be planted in several countries, including the South American rain forest, as part of the Cool Car Program. | ||
| The Environment Transport Association | Tel: 01932 828882 | 68 High Street |
| The
Environment Transport Association can provide a free 'Gas O
Meter' which calculates the amount of pollution produced. This
includes calculations on carbon dioxide and oxides of nitrogen
for travel, per kilometre, by bus, train, plane and car. The
model calculates total loading for conversion to the number
of trees. The 'Gas O Meter' can be obtained by telephoning 01932 828882. |
||
| ClimateXChange | Tel: 01865 275 856 | OUCE, Dyson Perrins Building |
| Email: info@climatex.org | ||
| This is programme based in the Environmental Change Institute at Oxford University has an introduction to carbon sequestration; what it is, different types of sequestration and how to get involved. | ||
