JOHANNESBURG - Deforestation is a major global problem. At the same time, climate change caused by rising greenhouse gas emissions is threatening not only nature but also humanity. The idea that we can tackle both problems at the same time - by planting trees that store significant amounts of CO2 as they grow - is therefore attractive.
So we are increasingly being offered the chance to offset our CO2 emissions by donating money to an organisation that will plant trees in return. Many companies and governments are already doing this. In Belgium alone, there are several organisations that have already planted millions of trees with your help. But what trees do these organisations plant? Where are they doing it? And is it a good idea? Tim Vernimmen travelled for two months through Tanzania and South Africa in search of people who plant trees, and discovered that the projects are diverse and their impact is not always positive. So it is a good idea to find out what the organisation you are supporting is up to.
ONLINE (in Dutch)
- Bomen als klimaataflaten - EOS, 22 JUNI 2017 (in Dutch)
