Arbor Day Tree Planting: A Limited Solution to Climate Change

Experts emphasize the importance of managing and conserving existing forests over new tree plantings to effectively combat climate change.

Arbor Day traditionally promotes tree planting, but recent studies suggest a greater impact from conserving and managing older forests.
Tree planting on Arbor Day, while symbolically significant, is not as effective as once believed in combating climate change.
Experts argue that mature forests act as more immediate and effective carbon sinks compared to newly planted trees.
Investments in forest conservation and management are urged to meet climate goals more efficiently than new plantings.
The focus is shifting from planting new trees to enhancing the resilience and carbon capture of existing forests.