‘Plant 1,000,000,000,000 trees to tackle climate change’

The best way to combat climate change is to plant at least a trillion trees worldwide.

Credits: NOS

Swiss scientists write in the journal Science. In theory, this compensates for two-thirds of the CO2 emissions caused by humans since the beginning of the nineteenth century.

Researchers at the Zurich University of Technology say that 1 billion hectares of forest would need to be planted, an area the size of the United States. After analyzing 80,000 satellite photos, they conclude that it is feasible: there would be enough space in Russia, the US, Canada, Australia, Brazil and China. Whether the trees are planted or not, scientists say it is ultimately necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and consume less gas, coal and oil.