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THREAD: Two new articles in @naturesustainab and @ScienceMagazine share skepticism on the climate benefits of growing trees. Some thoughts from our team on some misleading media coverage surrounding them: http://ow.ly/sWNi50AfJLo
2.The first article highlights an incentive program in Chile that converted some natural forests to plantations. This “afforestation” program does not follow the principles of forest and landscape restoration (FLR). https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-020-0547-0
3.A second article rightly caveats the carbon storage potential of planted forests. People growing trees do need to consider the effects of fires, climate change, and pests while restoring landscapes. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/368/6497/eaaz7005
4.FLR projects *never* convert native forests to tree plantations. When done the right way (with the support of local people), growing trees this way fights climate change, protects biodiversity, and creates economic opportunity. https://www.forestlandscaperestoration.org/what-forest-and-landscape-restoration-flr.html
5.Projects also should take into account the changing landscape + their leaders should plan accordingly to mitigate risks. Some resources: https://www.wri.org/resources-forest-landscape-restoration
6.Tree plantations *can* make sense on previously degraded land because of the other benefits that they bring, like timber and fuelwood that communities need, as well as reducing pressure on nearby natural forests. https://www.wri.org/blog/2016/03/can-plantations-help-restore-degraded-and-deforested-land
7.Sometimes, plantations use native trees! In Brazil, Symbiosis is growing high-value native trees to restore land + protect biodiversity while harvesting some for the international market… to pay for more restoration! #Initiative20x20 https://initiative20x20.org/restoration-projects/protecting-natural-forests-brazil-biodiverse-timber-plantations
8. As an #AFR100 and #Initiative20x20 partner, we believe in restoring entire landscapes for and with the people who call them home. The vision of FLR is what incentives need to promote, and we’re working with governments to do exactly that. https://www.wri.org/blog/2020/02/want-grow-trees-consider-these-5-lessons
