<p>Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, led by CEO Pascal Soriot, has issued a warning about the detrimental effects of climate change and biodiversity loss on both the planet and human health. In response, the company has unveiled a groundbreaking plan to invest $400 million&nbsp;in planting 200 million trees by 2030.</p>

<p>Expanding on their existing tree-planting initiative, AstraZeneca aims to contribute significantly to global reforestation efforts.</p>

<p>The company had previously pledged to plant and maintain over 50 million trees by the end of 2025, with successful plantations already established in Australia, Indonesia, Ghana, the UK, the US, and France, reported the Guardian.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The newly announced program will see AstraZeneca's investment focus on reforestation, ensuring the long-term survival of the trees.</p>

<p>Plantations will be established in Brazil, Vietnam, Ghana, Rwanda, and India, with a particular emphasis on countries with tropical forests, such as Brazil and Indonesia, known for their carbon absorption capabilities crucial in the fight against global warming.</p>

<p>The urgency of these efforts is underscored by the alarming rates of deforestation observed in recent years. Despite world leaders pledging to halt deforestation at the CopP26 summit in 2021, an area equivalent to the size of Switzerland was cleared from pristine rainforests in 2022.</p>

<p>The tropics alone experienced a 10 per cent increase in forest loss compared to the previous year, resulting in a staggering 2.7 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide emissions—equivalent to India's annual fossil fuel emissions.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/data-lab-making-sense-of-indias-forest-cover-change-both-gains-and-losses-579663">Data Lab: Making sense of India's forest cover change, both gains and losses</a></p>

<h2><strong>Carbon offset programme aims to remove 30m tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere</strong></h2>

<p>AstraZeneca estimates that its tree-planting program will remove approximately 30 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, playing a significant role in the company's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2045.</p>

<p>To ensure transparency and prevent double-counting of carbon credits, AstraZeneca will share the credits with the governments of the respective countries where the trees are planted.</p>

<p>While carbon offsetting initiatives have come under scrutiny for their effectiveness, AstraZeneca's tree-planting projects aim to create tangible benefits.</p>

<p>The company plans to generate employment opportunities for local communities, supporting up to 80,000 livelihoods. Collaborating with NGOs and subjecting the projects to independent audits and assessments by experts, including the European Forest Institute, AstraZeneca demonstrates its commitment to responsible and impactful reforestation efforts.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Symbolic 'cotton tree' destroyed in storm</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/symbolic-cotton-tree-destroyed-in-storm-597906/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Emphasising the importance of ecological restoration and biodiversity, CEO Pascal Soriot emphasised that AstraZeneca's program goes beyond planting identical trees in straight rows.</p>

<p>With a diverse range of 300 tree and plant species, the company aims to restore forests to their original state, adapting the approach to the unique characteristics of each country and region.</p>

<p>To ensure the success of these projects, AstraZeneca will employ innovative techniques such as drone assessments and high-resolution satellite imagery to monitor tree growth, health, and their impact on water, soil, and carbon stocks.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:</strong></p>

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Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, led by CEO Pascal Soriot, has issued a warning about the detrimental effects of climate change and biodiversity loss on both the planet and human health.

Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, led by CEO Pascal Soriot, has issued a warning about the detrimental effects of climate change and biodiversity loss on both the planet and human health. In response, the company has unveiled a groundbreaking plan to invest $400 million in planting 200 million trees by 2030. Expanding on their existing tree-planting initiative, AstraZeneca aims to contribute significantly to global reforestation efforts. The company had previously pledged to plant and maintain over 50 million trees by the end of 2025, with successful plantations already established in Australia, Indonesia, Ghana, the UK, the US, and France, reported the Guardian. The newly announced program will see AstraZeneca's investment focus on reforestation, ensuring the long-term survival of the trees. Plantations will be established in Brazil, Vietnam, Ghana, Rwanda, and India, with a particular emphasis on countries with tropical forests, such as Brazil and Indonesia, known for their carbon absorption capabilities crucial in the fight against global warming. The urgency of these efforts is underscored by the alarming rates of deforestation observed in recent years. Despite world leaders pledging to halt deforestation at the CopP26 summit in 2021, an area equivalent to the size of Switzerland was cleared from pristine rainforests in 2022. The tropics alone experienced a 10 per cent increase in forest loss compared to the previous year, resulting in a staggering 2.7 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide emissions—equivalent to India's annual fossil fuel emissions. Also read | Data Lab: Making sense of India's forest cover change, both gains and losses Carbon offset programme aims to remove 30m tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere AstraZeneca estimates that its tree-planting program will remove approximately 30 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, playing a significant role in the company's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2045. To ensure transparency and prevent double-counting of carbon credits, AstraZeneca will share the credits with the governments of the respective countries where the trees are planted. While carbon offsetting initiatives have come under scrutiny for their effectiveness, AstraZeneca's tree-planting projects aim to create tangible benefits. The company plans to generate employment opportunities for local communities, supporting up to 80,000 livelihoods. Collaborating with NGOs and subjecting the projects to independent audits and assessments by experts, including the European Forest Institute, AstraZeneca demonstrates its commitment to responsible and impactful reforestation efforts. Also watch | Symbolic 'cotton tree' destroyed in storm Emphasising the importance of ecological restoration and biodiversity, CEO Pascal Soriot emphasised that AstraZeneca's program goes beyond planting identical trees in straight rows. With a diverse range of 300 tree and plant species, the company aims to restore forests to their original state, adapting the approach to the unique characteristics of each country and region. To ensure the success of these projects, AstraZeneca will employ innovative techniques such as drone assessments and high-resolution satellite imagery to monitor tree growth, health, and their impact on water, soil, and carbon stocks. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

AstraZeneca launches $400mn tree-planting initiative to combat climate change, biodiversity loss

In Pics | Solar-powered robot to help Amazon rainforest

Ngoc Anh is very familiar with the jungle and especially the trees that grow there. It wasn't always so legal and green for him though...

From an illegal logger to what?!

In a unique way to raise awareness about global deforestation, workers painted the trees blue outside the Peabody Essex Museum in Massachusetts to celebrate the Earth Day.

Why are they painting the trees blue? | Earth Day

Why are they painting the trees blue?

<p>If reports are to be believed, Prince Charles seems to have played a crucial role in getting Amazon founder Jeff Bezos to pledge £732 million for land restoration in Africa. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Alongside Prince of Wales and French President Emmanuel Macron at a COP26 event, the billionaire said he would match a previous contribution made through Bezos Earth Fund. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/by-2030-climate-change-may-trigger-24-dip-in-global-corn-yields-says-study-426059" hreflang="en">By 2030, climate change may trigger 24% dip in global corn yields, says study</a></strong></p>

<p>The event highlighted the Great Green Wall initiative. In it, 20 million trees will be planted across Africa to counter desertification on the continent. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Bezos said, "We all know that this is the decisive decade, but without action, it will become the indecisive decade. We can't let that happen. Please consider us an ally for this important cause." &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/going-for-a-spin-queen-boards-vehicle-to-go-for-drive-around-windsor-estate-425986" hreflang="en">Going for a spin? Queen boards vehicle to go for drive around Windsor estate</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>After the G20 summit in Rome on Sunday, Prince Charles had hosted the businessman and his girlfriend, Lauren Sanchez, for tea and an informal chat. &nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Prince of Wales has been involved in fighting climate change and protecting our beautiful world far longer than most. We had a chance to discuss these important issues on the eve of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COP26?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COP26</a> — looking for solutions to heal our world, and how the <a href="https://twitter.com/BezosEarthFund?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BezosEarthFund</a> can help. <a href="https://t.co/7zBNnfCav7">pic.twitter.com/7zBNnfCav7</a></p>
— Jeff Bezos (@JeffBezos) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffBezos/status/1454925498757357571?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>The prince was 'instrumental' in bringing Bezos and Macron together on the issue, said sources. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The tycoon was also criticised for flying to the summit on a private jet, two days after celebrating the 66th birthday of fellow billionaire Bill Gates aboard a superyacht. &nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


If reports are to be believed, Prince Charles seems to have played a crucial role in getting Amazon founder Jeff Bezos to pledge £732 million for land restoration in Africa.

If reports are to be believed, Prince Charles seems to have played a crucial role in getting Amazon founder Jeff Bezos to pledge £732 million for land restoration in Africa. Alongside Prince of Wales and French President Emmanuel Macron at a COP26 event, the billionaire said he would match a previous contribution made through Bezos Earth Fund. Also Read: By 2030, climate change may trigger 24% dip in global corn yields, says study The event highlighted the Great Green Wall initiative. In it, 20 million trees will be planted across Africa to counter desertification on the continent. Bezos said, "We all know that this is the decisive decade, but without action, it will become the indecisive decade. We can't let that happen. Please consider us an ally for this important cause." Also Read: Going for a spin? Queen boards vehicle to go for drive around Windsor estate After the G20 summit in Rome on Sunday, Prince Charles had hosted the businessman and his girlfriend, Lauren Sanchez, for tea and an informal chat. The Prince of Wales has been involved in fighting climate change and protecting our beautiful world far longer than most. We had a chance to discuss these important issues on the eve of #COP26 — looking for solutions to heal our world, and how the @BezosEarthFund can help. pic.twitter.com/7zBNnfCav7 — Jeff Bezos (@JeffBezos) October 31, 2021 × The prince was 'instrumental' in bringing Bezos and Macron together on the issue, said sources. The tycoon was also criticised for flying to the summit on a private jet, two days after celebrating the 66th birthday of fellow billionaire Bill Gates aboard a superyacht. (With inputs from agencies)

For reforestation in Africa, Bezos pledges £732 mn after chat with Prince Charles   

<p>Governments and businesses hoping to plant trees and restore forests to reach net-zero emissions must limit such efforts to avoid driving up food prices in the developing world, the charity Oxfam has warned.</p>

<p>Nafkote Dabi, climate policy lead at Oxfam and co-author of the report, explained, "It is difficult to tell how much land would be required, as governments have not been transparent about how they plan to meet their net-zero commitments. But many countries and companies are talking about afforestation and reforestation, and the first question is: where is this land going to come from?".</p>

<p>As per few estimates, the food prices could rise by 80 per cent by 2050.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/japan-reserve-gets-first-alpha-female-in-70-year-history-402680"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Japan reserve gets first alpha female in 70-year history</strong></a></p>

<p>Also, about 350m hectares of land could be used for offsetting without disrupting agriculture around the world.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, taken together the plans for offsetting from countries and companies around the world could soon exceed this.</p>

<p>The Guardian quoted Dabi as saying, "Already, hundreds of millions of people, around the world are going hungry. We need to consult countries on how they are going to use their land, and countries and companies need to reduce their emissions first [before relying on offsetting]. We also need to reduce emissions from agriculture, which is the second biggest source of emissions globally.”</p>

<p>The report further highlighted that two of the most commonly used offsetting measures, reforestation and the planting of new forests, were among the worst at putting food security at risk.</p>


Governments and businesses hoping to plant trees and restore forests to reach net-zero emissions must limit such efforts to avoid driving up food prices in the developing world, the charity Oxfam has warned.

Governments and businesses hoping to plant trees and restore forests to reach net-zero emissions must limit such efforts to avoid driving up food prices in the developing world, the charity Oxfam has warned. Nafkote Dabi, climate policy lead at Oxfam and co-author of the report, explained, "It is difficult to tell how much land would be required, as governments have not been transparent about how they plan to meet their net-zero commitments. But many countries and companies are talking about afforestation and reforestation, and the first question is: where is this land going to come from?". As per few estimates, the food prices could rise by 80 per cent by 2050. Also read | Japan reserve gets first alpha female in 70-year history Also, about 350m hectares of land could be used for offsetting without disrupting agriculture around the world. However, taken together the plans for offsetting from countries and companies around the world could soon exceed this. The Guardian quoted Dabi as saying, "Already, hundreds of millions of people, around the world are going hungry. We need to consult countries on how they are going to use their land, and countries and companies need to reduce their emissions first [before relying on offsetting]. We also need to reduce emissions from agriculture, which is the second biggest source of emissions globally.” The report further highlighted that two of the most commonly used offsetting measures, reforestation and the planting of new forests, were among the worst at putting food security at risk.

Reforestation might threaten global security, warns Oxfam

<p>A recent study has suggested that the process of reforestation around the world would be the most effective method to combat <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tornado-hits-northeast-china-as-more-extreme-weather-strikes-six-killed-190-injured-232916">climate change</a>.</p>

<p>Around 0.9 billion hectares of land worldwide would be suitable for reforestation, which could ultimately capture two-thirds of human-made carbon emissions.</p>

<p>Researchers investigated nature-based solutions to climate change. In the latest study published in the journal 'Science', researchers for the first time, showed where in the world new trees could grow and how much carbon they would store.</p>

<p>"One aspect was of particular importance to us as we did the calculations, we excluded cities or agricultural areas from the total restoration potential as these areas are needed for human life," study lead author Jean-Francois Bastin explained.</p>

<p>The researchers calculated that under the current climate conditions, Earth's land could support 4.4 billion hectares of continuous tree cover. That is 1.6 billion more than the currently existing 2.8 billion hectares.</p>

<p>Of these 1.6 billion hectares, 0.9 billion hectares fulfil the criterion of not being used by humans. This means that there is currently an area of the size of the US available for tree restoration.</p>

<p>Once mature, these new forests could store 205 billion tonnes of carbon,&nbsp;about two-thirds of the 300 billion tonnes of carbon that has been released into the atmosphere as a result of human activity since the Industrial Revolution.</p>

<p>"We all knew that restoring forests could play a part in tackling climate change, but we didn't really know how big the impact would be. Our study shows clearly that forest restoration is the best climate change solution available today. But we must act quickly, as new forests will take decades to mature and achieve their full potential as a source of natural carbon storage," said co-author of the study, Prof. Thomas Crowther.</p>

<p>The study also shows which parts of the world are most suited to forest restoration.</p>

<p><strong>The greatest potential can be found in just six countries:</strong></p>

<p>Russia (151 million hectares)&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/why-china-is-afraid-of-us-abrams-tanks-to-be-delivered-to-taiwan-234260#us-army-infantry-battalions-m1-abrams-tanks-234232">US</a> (103 million hectares)</p>

<p>Canada (78.4 million hectares)</p>

<p>Australia (58 million hectares)</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/lionel-messi-slams-brazil-fix-after-copa-red-card-233729/amp">Brazil</a> (49.7 million hectares)</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sale-of-weapons-to-taiwan-violates-one-china-policy-cancel-it-immediately-china-to-us-234236">China</a> (40.2 million hectares).</p>

<p>Many current climate models are wrong in expecting climate change to increase global tree cover, the study warns. It finds that there is likely to be an increase in the area of northern boreal forests in regions such as Siberia, but tree cover there averages only 30 to 40 per cent.&nbsp;</p>

<p>These gains would be outweighed by the losses suffered in dense tropical forests, which typically have 90 to 100 per cent tree cover.</p>


A recent study has suggested that the process of reforestation around the world would be the most effective method to combat climate change. Around 0.9 billion hectares of land worldwide would be suitable for reforestation, which could ultimately capture two-thirds of human-made carbon emissions.

A recent study has suggested that the process of reforestation around the world would be the most effective method to combat climate change. Around 0.9 billion hectares of land worldwide would be suitable for reforestation, which could ultimately capture two-thirds of human-made carbon emissions. Researchers investigated nature-based solutions to climate change. In the latest study published in the journal 'Science', researchers for the first time, showed where in the world new trees could grow and how much carbon they would store. "One aspect was of particular importance to us as we did the calculations, we excluded cities or agricultural areas from the total restoration potential as these areas are needed for human life," study lead author Jean-Francois Bastin explained. The researchers calculated that under the current climate conditions, Earth's land could support 4.4 billion hectares of continuous tree cover. That is 1.6 billion more than the currently existing 2.8 billion hectares. Of these 1.6 billion hectares, 0.9 billion hectares fulfil the criterion of not being used by humans. This means that there is currently an area of the size of the US available for tree restoration. Once mature, these new forests could store 205 billion tonnes of carbon, about two-thirds of the 300 billion tonnes of carbon that has been released into the atmosphere as a result of human activity since the Industrial Revolution. "We all knew that restoring forests could play a part in tackling climate change, but we didn't really know how big the impact would be. Our study shows clearly that forest restoration is the best climate change solution available today. But we must act quickly, as new forests will take decades to mature and achieve their full potential as a source of natural carbon storage," said co-author of the study, Prof. Thomas Crowther. The study also shows which parts of the world are most suited to forest restoration. The greatest potential can be found in just six countries: Russia (151 million hectares) US (103 million hectares) Canada (78.4 million hectares) Australia (58 million hectares) Brazil (49.7 million hectares) China (40.2 million hectares). Many current climate models are wrong in expecting climate change to increase global tree cover, the study warns. It finds that there is likely to be an increase in the area of northern boreal forests in regions such as Siberia, but tree cover there averages only 30 to 40 per cent. These gains would be outweighed by the losses suffered in dense tropical forests, which typically have 90 to 100 per cent tree cover.

Experts find land as big as US for reforestation to reverse climate change effects

<p>By:&nbsp;James Douglas Langston</p>

<p>Deforestation has historically been the price of development, but the world is now going through a forest transition; since 2015, there has been net global reforestation.</p>

<p>The pace and quality of this transition is mixed. In the world&rsquo;s remaining high conservation-value forests, deforestation rates are high and poverty persists but development opportunities are within sight.</p>

<p>These forests are mainly located in the tropical developing world and have growing human populations. Because as forest-dependent people are increasingly involved in cash economies , they use their forests to participate in markets. This will inevitably lead to changes in forests.</p>

<p>But can these transitions be nurtured so that future forest landscapes deliver the biodiversity and ecosystem benefits that societies need or desire?</p>

<p><strong>Human interference</strong></p>

<p>It&rsquo;s not that the world&rsquo;s remaining forests are pristine and untouched. Humans have shaped and domesticated the remote Amazonian and Bornean and Congo Basin forests for millennia; all forests are the result of human actions.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>But as development pressures and the rate of globalisation increase, and as market and cash economies spread, changes in forests are intensifying. Forest clearance and disturbance has seen biodiversity decline and ecosystems suffer.</p>

<p>Conservationists typically respond to this in one of two ways. They either tackle the threat head on and try to counter it (classic threat-based conservation). Or they hand over forest management to local people (community-based forestry).</p>

<p>This latter is a recent popular trend and it&rsquo;s based on the assumption that locals will take care of biodiversity.</p>

<p>But neither threat-based conservation nor local management has proven successful for preserving forests. Tropical forests are still subject to high deforestation rates in less developed countries and conservationists lament the ongoing decline in biodiversity and ecosystems.</p>

<p>These forests are home to many thousands of people, who often have few economic opportunities. What is their future; what will happen to their forests; and where do they fit in future strategies for conservation?</p>

<p><strong>Romance vs making a living</strong></p>

<p>Some conservationists assume that forests will be preserved by forest-dependent people because they&rsquo;re content with their &ldquo;traditional lifestyles&rdquo;, disconnected from cash economies and living in romanticised sustainable communities.</p>

<p>And rights groups point out that people living in forests often have insecure land rights, lack freedoms and power, and are victims of land grabs by companies and governments. They say fixing these requires handing forests completely over to local communities.</p>

<p>Under the influence of their assumptions, rights-based and conservation groups both argue &ndash; perhaps implicitly &ndash; that communities, given the opportunity, will manage forests in a sustainable way.</p>

<p>Recently, even &ldquo;green-black&rdquo; alliances, where conservation groups and Indigenous rights groups collaborate over shared goals, have been shown to be problematic. Indigenous groups and local communities may not manage their forests to conserve biodiversity or, for that matter, the climate change mitigation values of the forests.</p>

<p>In spite of the lack of evidence that local management will lead to conservation, development organisations, NGOs and governments have mobilised vast sums of money to turn the management of lands over to local people.</p>

<p>But a slew of recent articles explains why local management is not a panacea.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Communities and indigenous people would, of course, like to see forests, nature and biodiversity - and in abundance. But their priority, like that of most people, is improving their own well-being and that of their children. This means making choices.</p>

<p>Data from Indonesia, the Congo Basin and Brazil show that, in general, forests managed by local people will only deliver benefits when this doesn&rsquo;t conflict with short-term economic interests.</p>

<p><strong>Realistic forest futures</strong></p>

<p>To local people, tackling threats to forests is seen as opposing development and will continue to fail. Opposing new roads in areas where people are deprived of development opportunities, for instance, is clearly not a viable way forward.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<h5>Where governance is weak and people are poor, forests will not survive unless conservation engages with the process of development, rather than opposes it</h5>
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<p>But the alternative strategy of handing management over to local people in the hope that they will protect biodiversity is also not realistic. If the only options on offer are forest protection or development at their expense (plantations, for instance, or mines and agriculture) then most people will, naturally, choose the latter.</p>

<p>Where governance is weak and people are poor, forests will not survive unless conservation engages with the process of development, rather than opposes it.</p>

<p>Current efforts, then, can be seen as seeking to conserve the forests of the past. But what we need is to transition to future forested landscapes that will meet the needs of the 9.5 billion resource-hungry people expected to populate the world by 2050, as well as conserve biodiversity and ecosystem processes.</p>

<p>The binary approach of integration or segregation is thus misleading. Strictly protected areas are essential but they will have to be part of a matrix of landscape components that provide for increased prosperity and sustainability.</p>

<p>A balance between conservation and development can only be struck at a landscape &ndash; or seascape &ndash; level. This approach brings together stakeholders and aims to balance the multiple &ndash; and sometimes conflicting &ndash; objectives in a landscape or seascape.</p>

<p>It&rsquo;s mindful that local peoples&rsquo; needs and aspirations change with time. People living near forests will say their preferred future includes the continued existence of forests and therefore, biodiversity and intact ecosystems. The challenge is to achieve this alongside improvements in livelihoods.</p>

<p>Blueprints and roadmaps are useless, then, unless they reflect and satisfy local development needs. Continual learning and adaptation is needed to work with changing priorities on both the local and global scales.</p>

<p>Only once local management coalitions explicitly acknowledge trade-offs, when winners and losers are clearly identified prior to any intervention, and local peoples share a commonly agreed path to their future, can we better nurture forests.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p>James Douglas Langston is a PhD Candidate and Demonstrator in the Development Practice Programme at&nbsp;James Cook University.</p>


Continual learning and adaptation is needed to work with changing priorities on both the local and global scales

By: James Douglas Langston Deforestation has historically been the price of development, but the world is now going through a forest transition; since 2015, there has been net global reforestation. The pace and quality of this transition is mixed. In the world’s remaining high conservation-value forests, deforestation rates are high and poverty persists but development opportunities are within sight. These forests are mainly located in the tropical developing world and have growing human populations. Because as forest-dependent people are increasingly involved in cash economies , they use their forests to participate in markets. This will inevitably lead to changes in forests. But can these transitions be nurtured so that future forest landscapes deliver the biodiversity and ecosystem benefits that societies need or desire? Human interference It’s not that the world’s remaining forests are pristine and untouched. Humans have shaped and domesticated the remote Amazonian and Bornean and Congo Basin forests for millennia; all forests are the result of human actions. Humans have shaped and domesticated the remote Amazonian and Bornean and Congo Basin forests for millennia; all forests are the result of human actions × But as development pressures and the rate of globalisation increase, and as market and cash economies spread, changes in forests are intensifying. Forest clearance and disturbance has seen biodiversity decline and ecosystems suffer. Conservationists typically respond to this in one of two ways. They either tackle the threat head on and try to counter it (classic threat-based conservation). Or they hand over forest management to local people (community-based forestry). This latter is a recent popular trend and it’s based on the assumption that locals will take care of biodiversity. But neither threat-based conservation nor local management has proven successful for preserving forests. Tropical forests are still subject to high deforestation rates in less developed countries and conservationists lament the ongoing decline in biodiversity and ecosystems. These forests are home to many thousands of people, who often have few economic opportunities. What is their future; what will happen to their forests; and where do they fit in future strategies for conservation? Romance vs making a living Some conservationists assume that forests will be preserved by forest-dependent people because they’re content with their “traditional lifestyles”, disconnected from cash economies and living in romanticised sustainable communities. And rights groups point out that people living in forests often have insecure land rights, lack freedoms and power, and are victims of land grabs by companies and governments. They say fixing these requires handing forests completely over to local communities. Under the influence of their assumptions, rights-based and conservation groups both argue – perhaps implicitly – that communities, given the opportunity, will manage forests in a sustainable way. Recently, even “green-black” alliances, where conservation groups and Indigenous rights groups collaborate over shared goals, have been shown to be problematic. Indigenous groups and local communities may not manage their forests to conserve biodiversity or, for that matter, the climate change mitigation values of the forests. In spite of the lack of evidence that local management will lead to conservation, development organisations, NGOs and governments have mobilised vast sums of money to turn the management of lands over to local people. But a slew of recent articles explains why local management is not a panacea. In general, forests managed by local people will only deliver benefits when this doesn’t conflict with short-term economic interests × Communities and indigenous people would, of course, like to see forests, nature and biodiversity - and in abundance. But their priority, like that of most people, is improving their own well-being and that of their children. This means making choices. Data from Indonesia, the Congo Basin and Brazil show that, in general, forests managed by local people will only deliver benefits when this doesn’t conflict with short-term economic interests. Realistic forest futures To local people, tackling threats to forests is seen as opposing development and will continue to fail. Opposing new roads in areas where people are deprived of development opportunities, for instance, is clearly not a viable way forward. Where governance is weak and people are poor, forests will not survive unless conservation engages with the process of development, rather than opposes it × But the alternative strategy of handing management over to local people in the hope that they will protect biodiversity is also not realistic. If the only options on offer are forest protection or development at their expense (plantations, for instance, or mines and agriculture) then most people will, naturally, choose the latter. Where governance is weak and people are poor, forests will not survive unless conservation engages with the process of development, rather than opposes it. Current efforts, then, can be seen as seeking to conserve the forests of the past. But what we need is to transition to future forested landscapes that will meet the needs of the 9.5 billion resource-hungry people expected to populate the world by 2050, as well as conserve biodiversity and ecosystem processes. The binary approach of integration or segregation is thus misleading. Strictly protected areas are essential but they will have to be part of a matrix of landscape components that provide for increased prosperity and sustainability. A balance between conservation and development can only be struck at a landscape – or seascape – level. This approach brings together stakeholders and aims to balance the multiple – and sometimes conflicting – objectives in a landscape or seascape. It’s mindful that local peoples’ needs and aspirations change with time. People living near forests will say their preferred future includes the continued existence of forests and therefore, biodiversity and intact ecosystems. The challenge is to achieve this alongside improvements in livelihoods. Blueprints and roadmaps are useless, then, unless they reflect and satisfy local development needs. Continual learning and adaptation is needed to work with changing priorities on both the local and global scales. Only once local management coalitions explicitly acknowledge trade-offs, when winners and losers are clearly identified prior to any intervention, and local peoples share a commonly agreed path to their future, can we better nurture forests. James Douglas Langston is a PhD Candidate and Demonstrator in the Development Practice Programme at James Cook University.

To conserve forests, we need to think beyond current ideas of integration or segregation

Authorities will plant 18 million trees in Mexico City and its surrounding suburbs as part of efforts to combat air pollution, the government said Monday.<br />
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Environment Minister Rafael Pacchiano dubbed it a &quot;historic reforestation&quot; to reinforce the &quot;green belt in the megalopolis&quot;.<br />
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The greater Mexico City area was hit by the worst air pollution in more than a decade in March, prompting authorities to restrict traffic for the 5.4 million vehicles that circulate daily.<br />
<br />
Pacchiano said that the lack of wind and record high temperatures in March contributed to an increase in ozone levels.<br />
<br />
Other new measures announced by Pacchiano include replacing 1,000 taxis that are more than 10 years old with hybrid cars and stepping up a program to renew cargo and passenger transport vehicles.&nbsp;Anti-pollution rules will also be tightened in industry.<br />
<br />
The government imposed temporary car restrictions between April and June 30, forcing all vehicles to stay home at least once a week. Normally, older vehicles and those that fail emissions tests have traffic restrictions.<br />
<br />
Last month, the environment ministry unveiled new rules to prevent corruption at emission inspection centres that have allowed polluting cars to remain on the road.<br />
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(AFP)

The city will also restrict traffic to combat air pollution, which is at its worst levels in a decade

Authorities will plant 18 million trees in Mexico City and its surrounding suburbs as part of efforts to combat air pollution, the government said Monday. Environment Minister Rafael Pacchiano dubbed it a "historic reforestation" to reinforce the "green belt in the megalopolis". The greater Mexico City area was hit by the worst air pollution in more than a decade in March, prompting authorities to restrict traffic for the 5.4 million vehicles that circulate daily. Pacchiano said that the lack of wind and record high temperatures in March contributed to an increase in ozone levels. Other new measures announced by Pacchiano include replacing 1,000 taxis that are more than 10 years old with hybrid cars and stepping up a program to renew cargo and passenger transport vehicles. Anti-pollution rules will also be tightened in industry. The government imposed temporary car restrictions between April and June 30, forcing all vehicles to stay home at least once a week. Normally, older vehicles and those that fail emissions tests have traffic restrictions. Last month, the environment ministry unveiled new rules to prevent corruption at emission inspection centres that have allowed polluting cars to remain on the road. (AFP)

Mexico City to plant 18 million trees in massive reforestation effort

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