Most tree-planting campaigns fail. What has to change?

Sub: Env

Sec: Int Conventions

Tree Planting Campaigns: Unintended Failures:

Many global tree planting campaigns fail to deliver real climate benefits, as seen in Kenya, where most of the 50 saplings planted by environmentalist Lucy Kagendo died, reflecting a widespread issue.
Despite the simplicity of the concept—trees remove CO2 through photosynthesis—numerous initiatives like northern India’s restoration efforts and Africa’s Great Green Wall project have struggled.
The failure of many campaigns is often due to planting the wrong trees in unsuitable locations or at the wrong time, as demonstrated by Turkey’s 2019 initiative where 98% of the 11 million trees planted died within three months.

Africa’s Great Green Wall Project:

Launched in 2007, Africa’s ambitious Great Green Wall project aimed to restore 100 million hectares (247.1 million acres) of degraded land in the Sahel with vegetation and trees. According to the latest UN figures, just a fifth of that area had been planted. Progress is stalled due to a lack of funding, and some of the trees died because they didn’t receive enough water or care.

Importance of Long-Term Care and Native Species:

Trees take decades to mature, making it crucial to monitor and care for them long after planting. However, this is often neglected.
Successful campaigns, like China’s Loess Plateau project, thrive by selecting native, drought-resistant species suited to local conditions and ensuring long-term maintenance.

Community Involvement and Localized Efforts

Effective tree planting requires local community involvement to ensure long-term care, as highlighted by Kagendo’s realization that trees need to be planted where they can be regularly tended.
Incorporating local communities, schools, and women in tree care, as seen in India and the US Green Seattle Partnership, enhances success rates. These projects emphasize that it is better to plant fewer, healthier trees than many that may not survive.

Source: IE