The climate crisis has made the defense of our forests critical to the defense of our planet. Study after study shows that protecting existing forest ecosystems is among the most effective and affordable ways to combating climate change.
A recent report from the International Union for Conservation of Nature stated, "Halting the loss and degradation of forest ecosystems and promoting their restoration have the potential to contribute over one-third of the total climate change mitigation that scientists say is required by 2030 to meet the objectives of the Paris (climate) Agreement."
Scientific American recently reported, "Forests' power to store carbon dioxide is staggering: One tree can store an average of about 48 pounds in one year. Intact forests could take in the CO2 emissions of some entire countries."
Yet even here in California—a leader in the movement to stop global warming—the wasteful and unnecessary practices of clearcutting and salvage logging continue.
Both practices remove all vegetation, which absorbs and stores carbon dioxide. Clearcutting exposes forest soils to accelerated weathering, which further emits carbon. Clearcutting and salvage logging boost the risk of intense wildfires by converting cool, moist forests into sun-baked slash piles and, often, to fire-prone tree plantations.
For our climate as well as our forests and wildlife we need your support to continue our work.
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Paul Hughes
Executive Director
Forests Forever