Reforestation is the natural or intentional restocking of existing forests or woodland that have been depleted, usually after deforestation. The expansion of forests will sustainably replace fossil fuel emissions, mainly carbon emissions being reduced, through less deforestation. To save the world from irreversible climate change we need to act efficiently, within this decade to stand a chance to fight against our biggest enemy – ourselves.
Reforestation can be used to undo and rectify the effects of deforestation, which caused an increase of carbon dioxide. In the UK, 26 million hectares of woodland is lost per year, thus it is fundamental to overcome this if we were to control pollution levels by balancing gases, carbon dioxide and oxygen in the Earth’s atmosphere. It will enhance the quality of human life by absorbing pollution and dust from the air, rebuilding natural habitats and ecosystems, and mitigating global warming via the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Furthermore, reforestation helps halt soil erosion and ensure that our forests can filter and supply water, making our water supply sustainable, as a result of reforestation.
Reforestation is the process of planting and establishing a desired forest community on a given site. There are two methods which are natural and artificial planting. Natural regeneration includes root suckering or natural seeding, whereas artificial regeneration consists of aerial and ground seeding, machine planting and hand planting. Brazil has led a perfect example of reforestation, although the figures which they spent for this method were very high ($5 billion). Britain has estimated that around 0.9-1.4 million hectares of new woodland will be planted by 2050. Long term it will be very effective but climate change will be irreversible by the next decade therefore, we as a country should act more efficiently.
Ultimately, the implementation process should be fairly simple for KES and KEHS as our grounds are huge and the staff will be willing to apply this method. If only our school were to reforest areas, it would make little difference. Therefore, it is pivotal for other schools and areas around Birmingham and hopefully nationally to carry out this sustainable plan. This should be a priority within our local Midlands Schools Eco Network, considering the increasing carbon emission levels currently.
Picture this, the family connections are loose within your home, the coronavirus outbreak has suppressed your mental health problems and you desperately want to feel relaxed. A perfect way to vanquish these problems is to step outside into your garden with a family member and plant a few trees in your garden. It will create a pleasurable feeling within your mind and clear all the stress which you must all be feeling right now. Finally, it is such a simple and easy way to address environmental issues, think about how good you will feel once you have served the world.
