Offering a few thoughts on Earth Day, along with an update on our latest restoration forestry crowdfunding effort.
Earth Day Reflections
According to Earthday.org, in the years preceding the first Earth Day in 1970, “Air pollution was commonly accepted as the smell of prosperity.” Leaded gasoline was widely used. The average person had little understanding of the impact of environmental degradation.
Attitudes in the US and elsewhere have shifted dramatically since then. Today, even the most pro-industry person would be unlikely to associate smog with prosperity.
Yet this 52nd Earth Day finds us confronting an environmental crisis of unprecedented complexity and scale. In reference to the latest IPCC report, UN Secretary General António Guterres warned that “we are on a pathway to global warming of more than double the 1.5-degree limit agreed to in Paris” (i.e. the 2015 Paris Climate Conference).
In the face of such pronouncements, it can be challenging to remain hopeful and engaged. In 25+ years of restoration forestry, our strategy has been to “tend to our garden,” by focusing on the task at hand — restoring decimated forests to their full carbon capture capacity, one acre at a time.
By harnessing the power of large, old trees, our work directly mitigates global warming, while also reducing the risk of catastrophic forest fires. In our experience, nothing is more hopeful, or more gratifying. (For a quick review of our work and the miraculous global cooling power of mature forests, check out this video).
Update: Our Latest Restoration Forestry Crowdfunding
We’ve been hiking the Redwood forests of Northern California in search of our next restoration forestry project. Because of pandemic-related supply chain issues, these forests are more vulnerable than ever. Our earlier, unsuccessful bid on 480 acres of forestland was a harsh reminder of this heightened risk.
We’ve identified a few promising areas and plan to share our findings in the coming weeks. A group of committed forestland partners has already pledged their support. Other like-minded forest guardians are also invited to join in this collaborative effort. Stay tuned for details, including a community Zoom event.
Together we can restore and protect our forests and cool our planet.
Happy, restorative, hopeful Earth Day.
