1treellion.org Global Funds

🌍 Where is Forest Degradation Happening in the Tropics? 🌳 New data from CTrees reveals the extensive impact of human activities on tropical forests. This open platform, REDD+AI, offers the first pantropic assessment of forest degradation from 2017-2023, highlighting activities like logging, fire, and road construction. Key findings: Logging: The biggest driver, affecting 4.6 million hectares annually. Fire: Impacts 1.7 million hectares annually. Road Construction: Degrades 603,000 hectares annually. In six years, human activities have degraded a tropical forest area equivalent to the size of California. This high-resolution dataset provides invaluable insights for conservation efforts. Read the full report and discover how we can protect these critical ecosystems here https://lnkd.in/e-acpuB9 #ForestConservation #TropicalForests #ClimateAction #Sustainability #CTrees #REDDPlusAI

Nearly all life on Earth relies on photosynthesis. ☀️ Discover how plants, algae, and certain bacteria create their own food and produce the oxygen we depend on. Via National Geographic

🌳 The Power of GIS in Urban Forestry: Maximizing Green Impact 🌍 Urban forests offer a vital solution to combatting the effects of climate change and urbanization, but managing these green spaces effectively is crucial. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) provide a cutting-edge tool for urban forestry, enabling cities to map tree canopies, track the health of trees, and optimize planting strategies. With GIS, planners can pinpoint where green spaces are needed most, ensuring equitable distribution across neighborhoods and maximizing environmental benefits. By analyzing tree coverage and future growth, GIS supports sustainable urban development and creates healthier, more resilient cities. From reducing heat islands to improving air quality, GIS-driven urban forestry initiatives ensure that cities evolve with nature at their core. Curious about how GIS is reshaping urban forestry? Dive deeper here: https://lnkd.in/eWgKqafZ #UrbanForestry #GIS #Sustainability #GreenCities #ClimateAction #1treellion #AI #techforgood #urbandesign #nature #forestmapping #urbanforest #forest #trees #technology

🌳 Urban Forests: Natural Solutions to Urbanization & Climate Change 🌍 As cities expand and climate challenges intensify, urban forests are crucial in mitigating these effects. Trees in urban environments not only combat rising temperatures but also improve air quality, enhance biodiversity, and provide mental health benefits to residents. Investing in green spaces is a powerful way to create sustainable, resilient cities for the future. Explore the full article on how urban forests can reshape our cities: https://lnkd.in/e6mDwxp5 #UrbanForests #ClimateAction #Sustainability #GreenCities #1treellion #forest #urbandesign #climatechange #heatwave #nature #naturebasedsolutions

As Phoenix recently hit its 100th consecutive day of temperatures above 100°F, the extreme heat is causing serious health risks for children. Parents recall frightening moments of children passing out from heat-related illnesses. Asphalt-heavy schoolyards, with no shade or green spaces, are amplifying the problem. This highlights the urgent need for more trees in urban environments. Trees offer essential shade, lower temperatures, and protect children from dangerous heat, helping create safer outdoor spaces for everyone. We are happy to see states like California seeing the value in tree planting as one of the mitigating solutions and hope to see more cities and states follow the trend. https://lnkd.in/eGbAR9fJ #climatechange #heat #heatwave #education #health #children #naturebasedsolutions #trees #playground #classroom #cooling #naturebasedsolutions

The role of urban forests extends far beyond aesthetics — they are critical components in addressing climate change and enhancing public health. Let's dive in deeper... https://lnkd.in/e6mDwxp5 #climatechange #urbandesign #city #heatwave #urbanforest #climateaction #nature #trees #forest

Food-sourcing from on-farm trees mediates positive relationships between tree cover and dietary quality in Malawi This particular study considers the often overlooked role of trees in serving as food sources and their impact on improving the diets of local residents. Trees provide fruits, nuts, seeds, and leafy vegetables to communities around the world. The researchers focused their study in Malawi, a small country in Southeastern Africa where 51% of the population is food-insecure. Looking at the lives and health of 460 women in the country, researchers found houses with greater surrounding tree cover were associated with higher levels of micronutrients sufficiency among these women. This includes vital vitamins and minerals like zinc, vitamin A, and iron. This is because those with substantial tree cover are more likely to rely on the food that can be sourced from said trees. These findings are incredibly important as they provide the necessary knowledge to support more tree planting in food insecure communities. Integrating trees into agricultural landscapes can reduce food insecurity and improve the health of citizens. When engaging in reforestation, prioritizing the nutritional benefits of trees and their products is essential. 1treellion understands the vital role that trees play in communities around the world. From supporting climate change resilience and increasing carbon sequestration to serving as valuable food sources, the importance of trees cannot be overemphasized. This is why many of the tree species that we plant at our sites provide either culinary or medicinal uses. To read the study: https://lnkd.in/eMTa-iHH #1treellion #foodsecurity #climateresilience #science #tree #forest #food

**Lessons From a Burning Forest** Forest fires tend to be thought of as solely destructive and dangerous natural disasters, but they can also utilized to revitalize forests. It’s a practice that indigenous peoples have been engaging in for centuries called cultural burns. These burns are used to limit forest fuel and prevent larger, more dangerous fires. Traditional fire-management practices were done in the springtime, when grass was dry but forests were still wet, helping to protect trees, homes, and communities. In the 1800s, Canada began to ban cultural burns and fined those that took part in them. The justification for the ban is in contrast to the evidence published in the journal Nature that found that fire suppression actually increased the risk of wildfires in Canadian boreal forests. For example, in 2024, Jasper, Alberta lost one-third of its buildings to wildfires, but it was prescribed burns that were named as the key preventative measure that saved 70% of the town. The author of the article visited Canada’s boreal forests that were destroyed in the record-breaking wildfires of 2023, and observed the near-total destruction of these vital carbon sinks. This evidence points to the fact that cultural burns are not only important in promoting forest health but also help to prevent wildfires. With climate change intensifying natural disasters, it’s important that we take every step possible to mitigate damages. Our forests are vital, and we must protect them at all costs. To read the article: https://lnkd.in/ghiQQsGp #1treellion #wildfires #culturalburns #climatereslience

Perennial grains, plants that can be harvested year after year, are an example of a sustainable agricultural solution. In contrast to most food crops which are annuals and require annual replanting, perennials improve soil health, conserve water, and can increase climate resilience. Incorporating perennial grains in agroforestry systems can be incredibly beneficial. Trees provide shade and protection from extreme weather while the grains promote soil health and fertility. There is also greater potential for carbon sequestration as perennial plants undergo photosynthesis for longer periods throughout the year and increase the soil’s capacity to store carbon. The synergy between perennial grains and trees would reduce environmental impact by minimizing need for water and fertilizer, as well as supporting diverse ecosystems. This article emphasizes the importance of working in conjunction with nature, rather than in opposition. With agriculture being a high emission and polluting industry, any sustainable practices that can be implemented should be adopted. The research advocates for greater planting of perennial grains in conjunction with trees as a method of increasing climate resiliency. To read the full article: https://lnkd.in/eDNZxADu #1treellion #perennials #agroforestry #climatereslience

Forests don’t just absorb CO2 — they also take up methane When discussing forests, their capacity as carbon sinks is often emphasized. However this particular study looks at the role of trees in the global methane cycle and their potential as methane sinks. Methane is a greenhouse gas with 80 times the global warming potential than that of carbon dioxide, but it has a significantly shorter atmospheric lifetime than CO2. Nevertheless, methane is responsible for 23% of anthropogenic greenhouse-gas warming since 1750. The most understood method of methane sequestration in the terrestrial biome is methane uptake in soil, where bacteria consume methane in the top layer of soil. There were a few prior studies that also reported methane uptake by tree stems and branches. To gather evidence to support this, the researchers utilized advanced gas analyzers that measured the methane variability at different heights of the trees to determine levels of uptake. The estimated global methane uptake of forests is 24.6-49.9 teragrams per year, comparable to that of soils. There was also found to be a positive correlation between methane uptake and mean annual temperature, meaning that climate should be considered when generalizing findings to other regions. While there are limitations to this study as it was a relatively small sample size, the sentiment remains that methane is an incredibly potent greenhouse gas that has substantial global warming potential. The knowledge that not only do forests serve as carbon sinks but also take up methane emphasizes their vital role in reducing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere and mitigating the impacts of climate change. To read the study: https://lnkd.in/dq6BpMwc #1treellion #treeplanting #methanesinks #climatechange