Rewilding the Appalachians, USA
Climate Solution #15
Temperate Forest Restoration
The world’s 1.9 billion acres of temperate forests are a net-carbon sink. According to the World Resources Institute, more than 1.4 billion additional acres are candidates for restoration—either large-scale, closed forest or mixed mosaics of forests, more sparsely growing trees, and land uses such as agriculture. With restoration comes additional carbon sequestration.
While temperate forests are not threatened by the same large-scale deforestation that afflicts the tropics, they continue to be fragmented by development. They also are experiencing hotter and more frequent droughts, longer heat waves, and more severe wildfires, as well as worsening insect and pathogen outbreaks. These disturbances can push temperate forests beyond their capacity for resilience.
Photos from the project
UN Sustainable Development Goals
The 'Appalchia reforestation' project aligns with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
Ensure access to water and sanitation for all.
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources.
Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss.
Read more about the Sustainable Development Goals