Climate Change – What Forestry and Christmas Trees Can Do To Help

Climate change is a worldwide problem, but foresters and Christmas tree farmers in Ireland are doing something about it. Forestry absorbs carbon dioxide (CO2), which, in turn, helps naturally offset global warming for a very distinct reason. Unlike other greenhouse gases such as nitrous oxide and methane, carbon dioxide absorbs less heat per molecule. This helps trap heat closer to the Earth’s surface. Without CO2, our planet would be pretty much inhospitable.

However, right now, the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are at an all-time high. While one might assume this would be a good thing due to how vital it is to our planet’s sustainability, this is tragically having an adverse effect and driving climate change. Here’s a rundown as to why this is happening:

Fossil Fuels, Deforestation, and Climate Change

Back in the day, lush forests used to cover about 80% of Ireland. Now, forestry is down to only 11 per cent. Ireland is not alone though. The world has lost over 1/3 of its forests since the ending of the last ice age. However, much of this loss didn’t occur until the turn of the 20th century when increased population and the need for food and shelter resulted in an expansion into our forests.

Ireland was not omitted from this expansion. By the turn of the 20th century, the forests in Ireland were already down to less than 1% of the total landmass. This rapid deforestation to expand for new homes, businesses, and roadways aren’t solely to blame for the state of our current climate. Much of it also has to do with the burning of fossil fuels.

You probably learned about fossil fuels in school, and they remain some of the most important natural resources that we use. Fossil fuels – coal, oil, and gas – are used to naturally produce energy and produce heat. In 2018, fossil fuels accounted for 89% of the total energy consumed in Ireland. When fossil fuels are burned, they release a large amount of carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere.

The problem with this is that the fewer forests there are, the fewer opportunities there are for trees to absorb the high number of carbon dioxide being pumped into the environment. This ultimately leads to a buildup of carbon dioxide that continues to warm the planet. In fact, the Earth’s temperature has increased by 0.08° C per decade over the past four decades. There is also a false belief that harvesting forestry is bad for the environment.

Fintan Riordan, owner of Cork Christmas Trees has explained this is not the case. And to further explain, Forestry is sustainable where you can harvest a section every year and replant after harvest so there is a continuous absorption of carbon dioxide. This is also the case with Christmas trees, for every tree harvested another 2 are planted the following year.

Why Christmas Trees?

Mature trees absorb carbon dioxide and convert it into oxygen, which is then released back into the atmosphere. Unfortunately, there’s a misconception people have about the side effects of cutting down a tree. Far too often, people opt for artificial Christmas trees because they think they’re making an environmentally friendly decision to not cut down a tree, however, the reverse is actually true.

Artificial Christmas trees are often made out of Polyvinyl Chloride, or PVC. This is one of the most commonly used plastics, however, one of its major drawbacks has a lot to do with how difficult it can be to recycle since it’s not biodegradable. Since the average person holds onto their artificial tree for approximately six years before tossing it in the trash to end up at a landfill, the reality is that trees made from PVC can spend years releasing harmful methane back into the atmosphere due to how long they take to decompose.

This is in contrast to real Christmas trees. Even though Christmas trees take approximately 8-12 years to fully mature, they are constantly absorbing carbon dioxide during this time and converting it to oxygen. The constant release of oxygen helps keep our planet healthy and everything on it alive. Fintan, owner of Cork Christmas Trees urges the public to ditch the plastic tree and buy local to support the environment. They have 2 locations in Cork on Centre Park Road and from there choose & cut Christmas tree farm in Ovens. You can also buy online from their website and they supply hotels and corporate events throughout Ireland.

Why Forestry Matters in the Fight Against Climate Change

Forestry is important in the fight against climate change because what’s cut down is always re-planted and re-harvested. In fact, Irish farmers are only harvesting sections of what’s cut down each year so there is a steady stream of carbon dioxide and oxygen flowing. This is just one of the many reasons why Christmas trees are a great sustainable crop. The other reason has to do with how easy they are to replant and recycle.

Unlike artificial trees, which can have a negative effect on the environment as they decompose, real Christmas trees have several benefits when it comes to recycling. When a real Christmas tree is recycled, the wood releases cellulose and lignin, both of which are instrumental components of different biological functions such as the transportation of water and energy. These compounds get converted to water and carbon dioxide. Furthermore, the remaining nutrients get injected into the soil which accelerates plant growth.

Are Carbon Offsets the Answer?

Climate change has been all over the news and social media in recent years with much of our world’s climate shifting as a result of increased transportation and oil consumption. As a result, some companies think they found the answer in carbon offset credits.

A carbon offset is a fancy term for an increase in carbon storage. This storage can be done by planting trees or taking other land restoration measures. A carbon offset credit, on the other hand, is a transferable permit that companies use to help them meet their sustainability goals. A carbon offset credit is certified by the government to provide businesses with the ability to cut down on carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases caused by their industrial work in an effort to combat climate change.

It’s more than likely that this could be the new wave of environmentalism, with 63% of consumers in Ireland willing to spend more money from a company that is taking an active approach to offsetting their carbon footprint. This offers companies additional incentives in order to attract and retain new and existing customers.

When Sustainable Practices Are Used, We All Win

Forestry and Christmas trees are a huge part of Ireland’s culture, and they’re playing an integral role in helping to mitigate the damage caused by continual climate change. If we do not commit to change today, Europe could suffer unprecedented amounts of flooding, with other parts of the world such as the Middle East having farmlands dry up into deserts.

With so much on the line, taking corrective action is more important than ever. Forest management is an effective way to combat climate change and fortunately, it’s free to everyone.