Forests and Climate Truths

The global momentum behind the vision to plant a trillion trees is fueling expanded interest in forests as a climate change solution. This increased interest has brought increased scrutiny and numerous questions. Can forests capture enough carbon to make a meaningful contribution? Will we lose this stored carbon to wildfires? Does harvesting timber and forest management help or hurt our forest carbon sink? This article written by Jad Daley, president and CEO of the American Forest Foundation, presents five truths, grounded in science, that provide a common foundation for the public and decision-makers to shape America's policies on forests and climate change.

5 Truths about U.S. Forests for Climate

By Jad Daley, President & CEO of American Forests

The global momentum behind the vision to plant a trillion trees is fueling unprecedented interest in forests as a climate change solution. But this increased interest has brought increased scrutiny. Can forests capture enough carbon to make a meaningful contribution? Will we lose this stored carbon to wildfires? Does harvesting timber help or hurt our forest carbon sink?

These five truths, grounded in science, can provide a common foundation for the public and decision-makers to shape America’s efforts on forests and climate change.

1. America’s forests are already providing a climate solution.
2. Step one is to keep our existing forests as forests.
3. Planting trees = more forests to capture carbon.
4. Sometimes active forest management = more carbon gains.
5. Wood products store carbon and reduce emissions from manufacturing.

To read the full story click here: American Forests