Could the UK Help Save the Future of the World’s Rainforests?

As the deforestation crisis continues, world tracker the World Counts reveals that in 78 years, rainforests will cease to exist if we continue the harmful practices we have been relying on for decades. It goes without saying that in the last decade, the Amazon rainforest has had more than its fair share of crises. Plus, the ongoing events of the COVID-19 pandemic have even wrought havoc on the planet’s lungs.

Through increased illegal clearance operations that exploited the distracting circumstances of the global pandemic, deforestation in the Amazon increased by 55 per cent in the first four months of 2020. the future of the world’s rainforests.

Recent reports suggest that only three per cent of the world’s ecosystems remain healthy and intact, therefore it is crucial we all band together to tackle this crisis. With 22^nd June marking World Rainforest Day, we need to question how we can save the Amazon. But just how bad is the rainforest crisis? Here, we explain the scale of the problem by posing this question: could the UK plant enough trees to help tackle the deforestation crisis in the Amazon?

One tree for another

Let’s look at the numbers.

Between August 2019 and July 2020, 11,088km2 (2,739,904.5 acres) of rainforest was destroyed. In comparison to the previous year, this had increased by 9.5 per cent.

There are around 200 trees per acre in the Amazon. Taking this as a base, to replace what was lost in 2020 alone, 547,980,900 trees would need to be planted to cover those 2,739,904.5 acres lost.

So, in theory, would the UK be up to the challenge?

Let’s say, hypothetically, we could get all 68,000,000 UK residents on board with the idea. We would all have to commit to planting eight trees each – which doesn’t sound too much. Even if half the UK got involved, 16 trees is manageable, depending on if we have the space.

So, do we have the space?

In short, yes, we do. The UK covers 242,495km², which is enough space to plant 2,739,904.5 acres of additional trees (which would cover 11,088km^2, or 4.57 per cent of the UK). We wouldn’t have to knock down any of our homes or buildings either, with Northern Ireland, England, Wales, and Scotland each comprising of less than 10% “built-up” areas.

As for farmland, however, it might be a struggle to fit in all 72 per cent of it in England – and that’s before the following year when we would need to plant another 547,980,900 trees.

That leads us to the realistic problems:

• Deforestation is increasing every year – so much so, recent reports by the Woodland’s Trust found that only seven per cent of the UK’s native woodlands are in good condition.
• Eventually, we would run out of space in the UK to counter the yearly loss of trees in the Amazon.
• Cutting down trees and replacing them with new ones does not provide an equal counter.

With this in mind, we discuss why planting a tree to make up for cutting or burning one down is not an equal counter.

Out with the old, in with the new

One great example of age bringing experience to a job is with trees. In an interview with the BBC, Dr Erika Berenguer of Oxford University explained: “The older and larger the tree, the more carbon it stores.” The doctor continues to explain that a family car that emits three to four tonnes of carbon over the course of four years that can be stored in a tree with a three-metre circumference.

As for young trees, they absorb around 5.9kg of C0₂ per year. So, the problem isn’t just losing one tree and replacing it with another, rather, it is the fact a newly planted tree cannot store the same amount of carbon as the large, older tree it is replacing.

Dr Berenguer explains: “Many people believe that to make up for what we’ve lost in the Amazon, we just need to plant trees elsewhere. But that is not the case”.

How we can make a change

Prevention is better than a cure. To regrow the trees that are lost in the Amazon would take years and years, therefore the best solution is to prevent any more of the rainforest from being lost to deforestation.

As outlined by World Rainforest Day, there are seven key actions we can take to help save the future of the world’s rainforests.

1. Donate to rainforest protectors — no one expects you to ditch your job, sell all your belongings, and move out to the rainforests to fight the good fight. But you can do your bit by donating to rainforest protectors, who will help protect wildlife, fight deforestation, and develop sustainable economies alongside Indigenous communities.
2. Get educated about rainforests — there are so many resources online to get clued up about the beautiful biodiversity of the planet, and the rainforests are no exception. The rainforests contribute so much more than just the air we breathe (though that really ought to be motivation enough!).
3. Make sure your products are rainforest-friendly — dodge unsustainable sources of palm oil in the product you buy, such as cosmetics and cleaning products, as palm oil production is the bane of Southeast Asian rainforests! Look out for the Rainforest Alliance Certified sticker — you can’t miss the little green frog. Other alliance logos can let you know if the palm oil in a product is from a sustainable source or if it is palm-oil free.
4. Eat less meat and more plants — the sad fact is, beef production is the largest cause of tropical deforestation in the Amazon, with around 2.71 million hectares being removed every year across all of Latin America to create more ranch land.
5. Spread the word — hashtag this, hashtag that. Love them or hate them, hashtags are a great way to spread a message. Hop on social media and start following rainforest protection accounts.
6. Commit to sustainable travel — from electric cars to purchasing carbon offsets before flying, there are so many ways to reduce your travel carbon footprint in 2021.
7. Hold leaders and corporations accountable — you have the chance to vote for leaders who highlight global issues such as deforestation and climate change. Plus, with a digital platform at most of our feet, call out companies who aren’t doing their bit!

As the warmer months commence, if you’re looking for a way to spend your time in the garden, then planting a tree and providing it with the care it needs is something the environment will appreciate. So, when you’re working on improving your garden this summer, be mindful of how deforestation is happening as we speak and think of ways you can play your part this World Rainforest Day!