Susana Gómez González
Coordinator of the Master's Degree in Conservation and Management of the Natural Environment and researcher in the Biology-IVAGRO department at the University of Cádiz
We must internalise that the solution to global warming cannot rest on tree plantations. According to Shani Rohatyn et al, afforestations (tree plantations in non-forested areas) have a limited capacity to "cool" the planet, when albedo reduction is considered. Despite this message, the study proposes specific areas where afforestations could be effective for this purpose.
In this regard, it is important to note that afforesting areas that are naturally treeless, such as semi-arid shrublands or grasslands, can erode biodiversity, reduce the ability of soils to store carbon in a stable manner, decrease water availability and increase the severity of fires. This would call into question the benefit of such afforestation, even in the potentially "cooling" areas proposed in this study.
The solution to climate change must focus on reducing our emissions, making our production systems more sustainable and restoring the balance of ecosystems and biodiversity. Sometimes the best way forward is to take a step back.