Clearly, reforestation efforts are necessary to slow the effects of global warming. According to some estimates, a major reforestation on a world-wide basis could reduce excess CO2 levels in the air by 20 or 30 percent, and lock up that CO2 for 40 or 60 years until ways are found to reduce fossil fuel use. According to the American Forestry Association, a single forest tree absorbs about 13 pounds of carbon dioxide per year, and each acre of forest absorbs about 2.6 tons of CO2.
It is necessary for the United States to take a lead in reforestation efforts. In response to the greenhouse crisis, the American Forestry Association announced a bold plan to begin the reforestation of this country. Called 'ReLeaf for Global Warming', the project's initial goal is to plant 100 million trees in cities and suburban areas. According to R. Niel Sampson, President of the AFA:
"An urban tree, because of its ability to shade and cool, is up to 15 times more valuable that a forest tree in cutting CO2 emissions through its additional energy-conserving ability. Three (3) well placed trees can cut home air-conditioning bills from 10 to 50 percent....Our message will begin with an urban focus: 100 million 'energy tree spaces' are available in urban communities, and filling those spaces could result in a savings of 40 billion kilowatt-hours of energy and cut as much as 18 million tons of US carbon dioxide produced each year. Those trees would reduce the amount of CO2 in the air - and in the greenhouse effect - as much as a new forest larger than the state of Connecticut."[ReLeaf for Global Warming,Sampson,American Forests,Nov/Dec 1988]
Other parts of the AFA ReLeaf plan include pressure on the World Bank to stop funding destructive roads and dams in rainforests, lobbying for a strong clean-air bill (air pollution kills trees or reduces their growth) and encouraging better management of both public and private forests.
In the spirit of ReLeaf and Earth Day tree planting programs, many groups are launching serious projects to plant more trees. Here is a partial list, furnished through the courtesy of Earth Day 1990:
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