Planting trees is no substitute for reducing fossil fuels – Environmental Defence: In the last election the federal Liberals promised to plant two billion trees, a pledge that upon re-election has become a government commitment. While it’s true that nature should be part of the climate change solution, some caution is needed. It could be the next version of greenwashing, or even climate denial.

The research is clear that protecting and enhancing ecosystems can play an important role in climate action, but also that these activities couldn’t possibly make up for the very high carbon emissions coming from the burning of fossil fuels. Some oil and gas companies may be pointing to forests, wetlands, and other ecosystems as a replacement for the crucial goal of phasing out of fossil fuels. But avoiding climate catastrophe can’t be done on the back of nature alone.

Planting trees is no substitute for reducing fossil fuels – Environmental Defence: In the last election the federal Liberals promised to plant two billion trees, a pledge that upon re-election has become a government commitment. While it’s true that nature should be part of the climate change solution, some caution is needed. It could be the next version of greenwashing, or even climate denial.The research is clear that protecting and enhancing ecosystems can play an important role in climate action, but also that these activities couldn’t possibly make up for the very high carbon emissions coming from the burning of fossil fuels. Some oil and gas companies may be pointing to forests, wetlands, and other ecosystems as a replacement for the crucial goal of phasing out of fossil fuels. But avoiding climate catastrophe can’t be done on the back of nature alone.Read More