Everyone knows that planting a tree helps the environment. In this blog, LettUs Grow teamed up with tree experts and re-forestry project Co-Forest to dig into why trees are so important and how vertical farming technology could help us meet tree planting targets.
Trees are hugely important to our environment for two reasons: the first is carbon capture and the second is habitat creation. Trees can absorb and lock up carbon, preventing it from damaging our atmosphere. Over 1.5 million hectares of new woodland is needed to help reach our net zero carbon target by 2050 - that’s almost the size of Wales!
The UK has lost almost half of its biodiversity since the 1970s. This loss of habitat is mostly caused by commercial farming and construction. 72% of UK land is managed for agriculture, and only 8% of land is built on. The situation is also severe overseas - tropical forests contain at least half the world’s species, yet we are still clearing around 17 million hectares every year for agriculture and harvesting of timber. Forests are currently being lost globally at a rate 10x higher than any possible level of regrowth.
And biodiversity is also strongly linked to carbon: the IPCC says a 1.5°C average rise may put 20-30% of species at risk of extinction. If the planet warms by more than 2°C, most ecosystems will struggle.
Read more about how aeroponics can help at LettUs Grow