How many trees are needed for every person to balance (compensate for) their carbon footprint? As is well known, one of the targets of the Paris Agreement is that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions must be reduced by 50% between 2020 and 2030, and reach a net-zero level by 2050. Usually, in international climate change discussions, national governments and companies are criticised, while somehow overlooking the main party responsible for creating emissions: the consumer.
How do consumer habits impact the environment?
All emissions arise solely from adapting to consumer behaviour and consumption habits. It must be emphasised that every daily activity leaves a personal carbon footprint – whether it is a morning shower, shopping, using transport, or watching television. It should be noted that these habitual everyday activities are rarely evaluated in terms of emissions, or not evaluated at all, which in turn creates a serious lack of understanding for changing consumer lifestyles and achieving long-term climate goals.
How can trees be the solution?
Afforestation offers great opportunities for slowing climate change because trees are natural CO2 "capturers". It is estimated that approximately 30% of long-term CO2 emissions are stored or absorbed by the world's forests. About 47% of emissions remain in the atmosphere; under the harshest possible scenarios of climate change, this figure may tend to increase, provided that active (originally the word "aggressive" was used) afforestation plans are not implemented.