Countries at COP28 recently announced some incremental progress on limiting methane emissions, cooperating on water issues and slowing deforestation amid protests by environmental activists.  Back in 2015, the original Paris climate agreement called on nations to preserve forests and other ecosystems – but unfortunately and without pause they have simply continued to disappear. 

Ultimately, slowing deforestation and accelerating reforestation of some of our planet’s all too abundant and damaged landscapes will be critical to solving the climate crisis. As an opinion-writer at the New York Times recently noted  “The Road to Climate Recovery Goes Through the Wild Woods”. 

The United States is one of the largest consumers and producers of timber world-wide, and remains the top global producer of industrial roundwood, wood pellets, and pulp for the paper industry. This contributes significantly to deforestation within its borders – most prevalently in Oregon, Washington, and Georgia.

There are many in the private sector, including former Reddit CEO Yishan Wong who recently have begun pressing that direction.   Wong for example has founded Terraformation, a company aiming to reforest some 3 billion acres – a land area larger than the U.S. – with about a trillion native trees. 

According to a recent article in the Guardian, Wong started looking for “the most cost-effective per unit way” of removing CO2 from the atmosphere. After researching the science he settled on a solution – plant trees.

Trout Headwaters has planted (thanks to the investment of its clients through the years) more than 1 million new native trees and shrubs across the U.S. Planting crews are in the field today – along streams, in riparian habitats, and wetlands – putting native transplants into project sites. These specific areas comprise vital carbon sinks. 

Sustainable stream, wetland, and habitat restoration projects sequester carbon, improve biodiversity, stabilize stream and wetland soils, filter pollutants, provide key habitats for our fish & wildlife, and more.

Private businesses and private investment are primary to solving the myriad challenges of this rapidly changing climate.  And while businesses, non-profits and governments all planting trees will not alone achieve our sustainability, it is one vital activity on that path.  Importantly, one that almost anyone can start today.