US Plans To Plant A Billion Trees In Hopes Of Tackling Climate Change

In a bid to tackle the reforestation backlog of four million acres spread across national forests, the Biden-Harris Administration has announced it plans to plant over one billion trees over the next 10 years. 

Collaborating with state, local, and Tribal governments, the Forest Service will undertake the gargantuan task of developing the necessary infrastructure, including nurseries, to help the efforts. 

According to a statement, this initiative, along with more than US$100 million invested in reforestation this year alone, aims not only to rebuild the landscape following devastating wildfires of recent years, but to help mitigate the impact of rising temperatures.

In fact, nearly half of the nation is in the throes of drought and record-breaking heat, with fireprone forests posing an increased hazard to at-risk communities. As such, by focusing on reforestation and climate change, more people, resources, and livelihoods will be protected. 

“Forests are a powerful tool in the fight against climate change,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

“Nurturing their natural regeneration and planting in areas with the most need is critical to mitigating the worst effects of climate change while also making those forests more resilient to the threats they face from catastrophic wildfire, historic drought, disease outbreaks, and pest infestation,” he added. 

[via Smithsonian Magazine and US Department of Agriculture, cover image via Welcomia | Dreamstime.com]