What if there were 1 trillion more trees? - Jean-François Bastin

Summary

The video script highlights the crucial role of trees in combating climate change, focusing on the General Sherman sequoia's impressive carbon sequestration. It explains the process of photosynthesis and carbon storage in trees, emphasizing the importance of planting native species for sustainable ecosystems. The script also discusses the potential of global forest restoration to capture significant carbon emissions, while acknowledging the complexity and challenges of such large-scale interventions.

Takeaways

• 🌳 The General Sherman, a giant sequoia, is the largest known living tree and has sequestered about 1,400 tons of carbon over 2,500 years.
• 🌱 Trees sequester carbon through photosynthesis, converting CO2 and water into oxygen and carbohydrates, and store some carbon in their wood tissue.
• 🌿 When trees die and decay, some of their stored carbon is released back into the atmosphere, but a significant amount remains in the soil for thousands of years.
• 🌲 Trees act as carbon vaults, continuously drawing down carbon as long as they grow, making them crucial in the fight against climate change.
• 🌳 The longevity and reproduction rate of trees are essential for their role in carbon sequestration, emphasizing the need for trees that can survive and reproduce quickly.
• 🌳 Planting trees alone is not enough; restoring depleted ecosystems is crucial for sustainable carbon sequestration.
• 🌳 Native trees are the most sustainable to plant as they naturally fit into their local environment and contribute to ecosystem diversity.
• 🌳 Research by Zurich’s Crowtherlab suggests that Earth could support nearly one billion hectares of additional forest, equivalent to about 1.2 trillion trees.
• 🌳 Restored ecosystems could capture between 100 to 200 billion tons of carbon, accounting for over one-sixth of humanity’s carbon emissions.
• 🌳 Six countries hold more than half of the potential forest canopy for new restoration efforts, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in forest restoration.
• 🌳 The complexity of ecosystem restoration and the potential unintended consequences of large-scale reforestation efforts underscore the need for careful planning and management.

Q & A

What is the nickname of the largest known living tree on the planet?

The largest known living tree on the planet is nicknamed General Sherman.

How much atmospheric carbon has General Sherman sequestered over its lifetime?

General Sherman has sequestered roughly 1,400 tons of atmospheric carbon over its estimated 2,500 years on earth.

What is the rate of carbon production by humanity compared to General Sherman's carbon sequestration?

Humanity produces more than 1,400 tons of carbon every minute, which is a significantly higher rate than General Sherman's sequestration over centuries.

How do trees help in the fight against climate change?

Trees help in the fight against climate change by sequestering carbon through the process of photosynthesis and storing it as wood tissue.

What is photosynthesis and how does it relate to carbon sequestration?

Photosynthesis is a chemical reaction in which plants, including trees, consume atmospheric carbon using energy from sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide into oxygen and energy-storing carbohydrates. This process is key to carbon sequestration as it removes carbon from the atmosphere.

What happens to the carbon stored in trees when they die and decay?

When a tree dies and decays, some of its carbon is released back into the air, but a significant amount can remain stored in the soil for thousands of years before eventually seeping back into the atmosphere.

Why is it important for trees to survive and reproduce quickly in the context of climate change?

It is important for trees to survive and reproduce quickly to sequester their carbon for the longest period possible, helping to combat the long-term problem of climate change.

What type of trees are considered the most sustainable to plant and why?

The most sustainable trees to plant are native ones, as they already play a role in their local environment and are part of the complex networks of living organisms in ecosystems.

What is the significance of tree diversity in ecosystems and how does it relate to climate change resistance?

Tree diversity in ecosystems is significant because it leads to less competition for resources and better resistance to climate change, as shown by preliminary research.

What was the main finding of the study led by Zurich’s Crowtherlab in 2019 regarding additional forest potential?

The study found that Earth could support nearly one billion hectares of additional forest, which equates to roughly 1.2 trillion trees.

What is the Bonn Challenge and what is its goal related to forest restoration?

The Bonn Challenge is a global effort that aims to restore 350 million hectares of forest by 2030.

What are some of the concerns regarding large-scale forest restoration and its potential impact on climate change?

Some concerns include the possibility of unintended consequences, such as producing natural bio-chemicals at a pace that could accelerate climate change, and the challenge of protecting restored areas from future depletion.

What is the importance of protecting existing forests in the context of combating climate change?

Protecting existing forests is crucial as they already act as carbon sinks and are part of delicate ecosystems. The complexity of rebuilding ecosystems highlights the importance of preserving what we already have.

Outlines

00:00

🌳 The Carbon Sequestering Power of Trees

The script introduces General Sherman, the largest known living tree, highlighting its significant role in carbon sequestration. It emphasizes the importance of trees in combating climate change by absorbing atmospheric carbon through photosynthesis and storing it as wood tissue. The script also discusses the limitations of relying solely on trees, such as the release of carbon when trees die and the need for trees to reproduce quickly to maintain their carbon sequestering capabilities. It points out that planting native species and restoring depleted ecosystems are more sustainable approaches than planting a single 'super tree' species. The potential of restoring ecosystems to capture a significant portion of humanity's carbon emissions is also mentioned, along with the challenges and complexities involved in such restoration efforts.

05:02

🌱 The Potential of Restoring Depleted Ecosystems

This paragraph continues the discussion on the role of trees in climate change mitigation, focusing on the potential of restoring depleted ecosystems. It suggests that if done correctly, restoring these regions could provide valuable data and confidence to tackle climate change on a larger scale. The script hints at the possibility of these restored areas eventually becoming home to trees that are capable of carrying significant amounts of carbon, thus contributing to the global effort to reduce atmospheric carbon levels.

Keywords

💡General Sherman

General Sherman is a nickname for the largest known living tree on the planet, a giant sequoia. This tree stands at almost 84 meters tall and has sequestered roughly 1,400 tons of atmospheric carbon over its estimated 2,500 years. It serves as a prime example in the video of the carbon sequestration capabilities of trees, highlighting the potential of trees in combating climate change.

💡Carbon Sequestration

Carbon sequestration refers to the process through which trees and other plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in their tissues. In the video, it is explained that trees like General Sherman sequester carbon through photosynthesis, converting carbon dioxide into energy-storing carbohydrates, and storing a significant portion of this carbon as wood tissue.

💡Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is a chemical reaction that plants, including trees, use to convert water and carbon dioxide into oxygen and energy-storing carbohydrates, using energy from sunlight. This process is crucial for carbon sequestration, as it is how trees consume atmospheric carbon. The video emphasizes the role of photosynthesis in the carbon impact of trees.

💡Respiration

Respiration is the reverse process of photosynthesis, where plants consume carbohydrates to produce energy and release carbon back into the atmosphere. While this process is necessary for plant life, the video notes that in trees, a large portion of the carbon is not released through respiration but is instead stored as wood, contributing to their carbon sequestration capabilities.

💡Climate Change

Climate change is a long-term alteration in average weather patterns and is largely driven by the increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide. The video discusses the role of trees in combating climate change by sequestering carbon and the need to reduce fossil fuel emissions to restore the balance of greenhouse gases.

💡Fossil Fuel Emissions

Fossil fuel emissions refer to the release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere as a result of burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas. The video mentions that humanity produces more than 1,400 tons of carbon every minute from these emissions, which is a major driver of climate change and a reason for the need to reduce these emissions.

💡Native Trees

Native trees are species that naturally occur in a particular region and play a role in their local environment. The video suggests that planting native trees is the most sustainable approach, as they are better adapted to local ecosystems and can help restore depleted environments. Native trees are also highlighted as being crucial for maintaining biodiversity and resisting climate change.

💡Ecosystem Restoration

Ecosystem restoration involves the process of repairing or rebuilding ecosystems that have been damaged or depleted. The video discusses the potential for restoring ecosystems through reforestation, which could support additional forest cover and sequester significant amounts of carbon. This process is seen as a way to combat climate change by enhancing the natural carbon sequestration capabilities of forests.

💡Biodiversity

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in a given ecosystem, including the number of different species and their genetic diversity. The video mentions that ecosystems with a naturally occurring diversity of trees have less competition for resources and better resist climate change. This underscores the importance of maintaining and restoring biodiversity in forests as part of climate change mitigation strategies.

💡The Bonn Challenge

The Bonn Challenge is an international effort that aims to restore 350 million hectares of forest by 2030. The video uses this initiative as an example of existing restoration projects, highlighting the global efforts to increase forest cover and sequester carbon as part of broader climate change mitigation strategies.

💡Unintended Consequences

Unintended consequences refer to outcomes that were not anticipated or intended. In the context of the video, some researchers worry that large-scale forest restoration might have unintended consequences, such as altering the production of natural bio-chemicals in a way that could accelerate climate change. This underscores the complexity and potential risks associated with large-scale ecological interventions.

Highlights

Standing at almost 84 meters tall, General Sherman is the largest known living tree on the planet.

General Sherman has sequestered roughly 1,400 tons of atmospheric carbon over its estimated 2,500 years.

Humanity produces more than 1,400 tons of carbon every minute.

To combat climate change, we need to reduce fossil fuel emissions and draw down excess CO2.

Trees consume atmospheric carbon through photosynthesis, converting water and carbon dioxide into oxygen and carbohydrates.

A large portion of carbon in trees is stored as newly formed wood tissue, acting as carbon vaults.

When a tree dies and decays, some of its carbon is released back into the air.

A significant amount of CO2 is stored in the soil, where it can remain for thousands of years.

Trees need to survive and reproduce quickly to sequester carbon for the longest period possible.

There is no one type of tree that can thrive in every ecosystem; native species are the most sustainable to plant.

Ecosystems with a naturally occurring diversity of trees have less competition for resources and better resist climate change.

Earth could support nearly one billion hectares of additional forest, equivalent to 1.2 trillion trees.

Restored ecosystems could capture 100 to 200 billion tons of carbon, accounting for over one-sixth of humanity’s carbon emissions.

More than half of the potential forest canopy for new restoration efforts can be found in just six countries.

The Bonn Challenge aims to restore 350 million hectares of forest by 2030.

Ecosystems are complex, and it’s unclear whether they’re best restored by human intervention.

Restoring forests on a large scale may have unintended consequences, like producing natural bio-chemicals that could accelerate climate change.

Future generations would need to protect restored areas from the forces that previously depleted them.

Restoring depleted regions will provide data and conviction necessary to combat climate change on a larger scale.

If restoration efforts are successful, modern trees may grow into carbon carrying titans.

Transcripts

Standing at almost 84 meters tall,

this is the largest known living tree on the planet.

Nicknamed General Sherman,

this giant sequoia has sequestered roughly 1,400 tons of atmospheric carbon

over its estimated 2,500 years on earth.

Very few trees can compete with this carbon impact,

but today, humanity produces more than 1,400 tons of carbon every minute.

To combat climate change,

we need to steeply reduce fossil fuel emissions,

and draw down excess CO2 to restore our atmosphere’s balance

of greenhouse gases.

But what can trees do to help in this fight?

And how do they sequester carbon in the first place?

Like all plants, trees consume atmospheric carbon

through a chemical reaction called photosynthesis.

This process uses energy from sunlight

to convert water and carbon dioxide into oxygen

and energy-storing carbohydrates.

Plants then consume these carbohydrates in a reverse process

called respiration, converting them to energy

and releasing carbon back into the atmosphere.

In trees, however, a large portion of that carbon isn’t released,

and instead, is stored as newly formed wood tissue.

During their lifetimes, trees act as carbon vaults,

and they continue to draw down carbon for as long as they grow.

However, when a tree dies and decays,

some of its carbon will be released back into the air.

A significant amount of CO2 is stored in the soil,

where it can remain for thousands of years.

But eventually, that carbon also seeps back into the atmosphere.

So if trees are going to help fight a long-term problem

like climate change,

they need to survive to sequester their carbon

for the longest period possible, while also reproducing quickly.

Is there one type of tree we could plant that meets these criteria?

Some fast growing, long-lived, super sequestering species

we could scatter worldwide?

Not that we know of.

But even if such a tree existed,

it wouldn’t be a good long-term solution.

Forests are complex networks of living organisms,

and there’s no one species that can thrive in every ecosystem.

The most sustainable trees to plant are always native ones;

species that already play a role in their local environment.

Preliminary research shows that ecosystems

with a naturally occurring diversity of trees have less competition

for resources and better resist climate change.

This means we can’t just plant trees to draw down carbon;

we need to restore depleted ecosystems.

There are numerous regions that have been clear cut

or developed that are ripe for restoring.

In 2019, a study led by Zurich’s Crowtherlab

analyzed satellite imagery of the world’s existing tree cover.

By combining it with climate and soil data

and excluding areas necessary for human use,

they determined Earth could support

nearly one billion hectares of additional forest.

That’s roughly 1.2 trillion trees.

This staggering number surprised the scientific community,

prompting additional research.

Scientists now cite a more conservative but still remarkable figure.

By their revised estimates, these restored ecosystems

could capture anywhere from 100 to 200 billion tons of carbon,

accounting for over one-sixth of humanity’s carbon emissions.

More than half of the potential forest canopy

for new restoration efforts can be found in just six countries.

And the study can also provide insight into existing restoration projects,

like The Bonn Challenge,

which aims to restore 350 million hectares of forest by 2030.

But this is where it gets complicated.

Ecosystems are incredibly complex,

and it’s unclear whether they’re best restored by human intervention.

It’s possible the right thing to do for certain areas

is to simply leave them alone.

Additionally, some researchers worry that restoring forests

on this scale may have unintended consequences,

like producing natural bio-chemicals

at a pace that could actually accelerate climate change.

And even if we succeed in restoring these areas,

future generations would need to protect them

from the natural and economic forces that previously depleted them.

Taken together, these challenges have damaged confidence

in restoration projects worldwide.

And the complexity of rebuilding ecosystems

demonstrates how important it is to protect our existing forests.

But hopefully, restoring some of these depleted regions

will give us the data and conviction necessary to combat climate change

on a larger scale.

If we get it right, maybe these modern trees will have time to grow

into carbon carrying titans.