GOP Leaders Branch Out with One Trillion Trees

Amidst a long-running political battle between environmental activists and redwood forest loggers in California, then-governor Ronald Reagan famously quipped: “A tree is a tree, how many more do you need to look at?” Last month in Davos, President Trump gave an answer: one trillion. 

While attending the World Economic Forum, Trump pledged that the US would join WEF’s recently launched “one trillion trees initiative,” 1t.org. The program is meant to “connect, empower and mobilize a global reforestation community of millions,” helping tree planting projects worldwide access funding, find political support, and coordinate their efforts to protect or grow a one trillion trees in the next decade.

The idea of planting trees to help the environment stems from ancient times, but the one trillion trees initiative was germinated early last year with new research suggesting that 1.2 trillion trees could sequester ten years of anthropogenic carbon emissions. The study used satellite and on-the-ground data to estimate the number of trees currently growing on Earth – around 3 trillion – and found space to restore millions of acres of forests (not including opportunities available to plant trees on urban and agricultural land).

Some scientists have questioned the ambitious carbon sequestration claims of the 2019 study and overall feasibility of the resulting initiatives, noting that difficulty of maintaining current forests in a changing climate and contending that the  success of carbon offset programs are often overestimated. But there is little debate that tree planting and forest conservation can improve human and animal life. Trees stabilize the soil, keeping nutrients in the ground and preventing pollution from accessing waterways. Trees absorb air and noise pollution, making cities more livable. Trees can even protect coastlines from devastating storms. Perhaps most importantly, trees beautify landscapes, endowing humanity with gifts that have inspired artists and storytellers the world over for all of human history. Social scientists have grasped at these intrinsic values, noting that trees ease symptoms of depression, improve sleep, and lengthen lifespans.

In short, trees are a tremendous tool for improving environmental and social well-being.

Trump’s pledge goes hand-in-hand with a new plan from the House GOP to introduce a Trillion Trees Initiative bill this spring. As reported by the Washington Examiner, a bill co-sponsor Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR) says the proposed legislation will, among other policies, create a target for increasing domestic wood growth to achieve carbon sequestration goals, establish a framework for companies, nonprofits, and individuals to donate resources to plant trees worldwide, and provide lessons on carbon sequestration and forest management to fifth graders in American public schools. 

Although the two plans differ in their strategies and proposed timelines, the Trillion Trees Act and 1t.org have a stronger chance of achieving their primary objective – conserve and plant more trees--with simultaneous backing from the U.S. executive and legislative branches. However, even if the initiative succeeds, renewable energy and energy-saving innovation and adoption across sectors, development plans that align with disaster risk, and conservation of non-forest ecosystems, will remain critical components of sound climate policy that both parties must address.

Endorsement of One Trillion Trees from the Administration and House GOP seems responsive to growing demand from Republican constituents for politicians to take a proactive approach to environmental policy. With the 2020 election cycle well under way, Republicans have a chance to prove to the electorate that their policies can effectively address the climate crisis. One Trillion Trees, which combines a global vision with an emphasis on local government responsibilities – and benefits – for being good land stewards, could provide the roots of a framework for Republicans to further engage in climate policy debate.

 

Author: Amber Todoroff