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Pitch

Carbon emissions can be reversed by reforestation of a Canadian and international land area roughly the size of USA (982,663,000 hectares).


Description

Summary

It is broadly accepted that the concentration of carbon dioxide is dangerously on the rise. Recent statistics indicate that the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide rose over 400ppm in early 2013. Greenhouse gases, including CO2 are continuing to trap solar heat and as a result, our global climate is growing warmer and warmer. It is imperative to take ongoing and active steps in our efforts to store and reduce atmospheric carbon level as a global society. 

There is a significant body of research that confirm that the reforestation of large trees is an effective methdology to store/reduce carbons. While many Canadian municipal, provincial and federal programs support reforestation projects, there continues to be both physical room and societal appetite to implement sustainable reforestation across Canada. There is a  similar appetite and available space around the world.This proposal recommends the identification and sustained reforestation of a combined worldwide land mass which amounts to the size of the United States of America over a period of a five years, leveraging the use of individual volunteers, NGOs, corporations and governments.


What actions do you propose?

 1) Perform extensive site identification with a focus on Canadian Crown Land, unused farms and surplus lands.

2) Engage land owners, municipalities and provincial jurisdictions in the various jurisdictions to build buy in for participation and receive input on the early planning required for the program. 

3) Establish the ideal mix of tree species in the various geographical areas through engagement with botanists, planners, etc. 

4) Enlist an international legal team to structure commitment to permanent reforestry and program requirements for private land owners and governments.

5) Engage the provincial, federal and international governments regarding funding opportunities to support and sustain the program.

6) Develop and carry out implementation plan in partnership with private and public interests.


Who will take these actions?

Proposal developer intends to establish a not-for-profit corporation to take the required actions and engage government and other interests. Possible opportunity for partnership by established organizations such as Trees Ontario and other provincial counterparts to co-lead project, identify funding sources, research target sites, engage private interests and to maintain commitment to permanent reforestry or an approach for sustainable agroforestry where possible.


Where will these actions be taken?

Ontario to start, with expansion to other Canadian provinces, followed by international program with cooperating nations. 


How much will emissions be reduced or sequestered vs. business as usual levels?

There is prior research which suggest that the reforestion of a combined land mass the size of USA (i.e. 982,663,000 hectares) has the potential to absorb the all the excess CO2 produced around the world. 

 


What are other key benefits?

A scaleable long-term reduction in the concentration of carbon dioxide hs the potential to slow global warming.  


What are the proposal’s costs?

$2 Billion USD, including labour, sites, community and international engagement, program administration, travel, project team costs, and equipment costs.

Year 1 costs: $375,000 USD for initial Canadian engagement and planning processes.


Time line

Project is anticipated to take 11-15 years.

Year 1 will involve initial Canadian engagement and planning processes.

 


Related proposals

None


References

TBD