Planting Trees Contribute all 17 SDGs

In 2015, the United Nations set out a collection of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to aid businesses and governments in creating a more equitable and sustainable world. While progress has been made towards achieving these goals, there is still much work to be done. However, one unexpected opportunity has the potential to positively impact all 17 SDGs: land restoration.

The International Resource Panel (IRP), a worldwide scientific panel hosted by the United Nations Environment Program, has reported that well-executed reforestation and other land restoration activities offer extensive benefits.

Here's how planting trees contribute to all 17 SDGs:-

GOAL 1: NO POVERTY

The first Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) is to eliminate poverty, which affects approximately 3 billion people worldwide who live on less than $2.50 per day and rely heavily on productive land for their livelihoods. Restoring forests can have a direct and positive impact on their lives by providing immediate employment opportunities, increasing the land's ability to produce food and building materials over time, and protecting infrastructure from extreme weather events.

Therefore, addressing poverty requires a sustainable approach that includes the development of healthy and well-managed forests, watersheds, and soils as a solid foundation.

GOAL 2: ZERO HUNGER

Approximately 36% of cropland, forest, and pasture systems are facing declining productivity, which is a concerning issue for more than 2.5 billion people who rely on agriculture as their primary source of income. This decline is a significant contributor to global hunger and food insecurity, making it a critical problem that requires attention.

One way to address this issue is by restoring degraded forests, planting trees, and promoting sustainable agriculture practices such as agroforestry in agricultural areas. Such measures can help tackle hunger by improving the economic well-being of smallholder farmers and protecting their livelihoods.

GOAL 3: GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

Reforestation efforts can have a positive impact on human health in various ways. For instance, it can provide a sustainable supply of high-quality food and water over time, as well as help reduce the transmission of diseases.

Forests also offer additional benefits beyond improved health, such as providing traditional remedies and essential ingredients for 25% of all western medicines. Furthermore, spending time in or near forests has been shown to significantly improve mental health, a phenomenon known as "forest bathing."

GOAL 4: QUALITY EDUCATION

Aside from creating job opportunities and restoring landscapes, many of our partners also educate reforestation communities about sustainable agroforestry, land use practices, site monitoring, and micro-economics.

Our experience shows that planting and maintaining trees can have a direct impact on education by increasing income and reducing the time spent on securing basic necessities such as food and fuelwood. This, in turn, allows parents to have more time and resources to invest in their children's education.

GOAL 5: GENDER EQUALITY

Degraded landscapes with reduced ecosystem services can make it challenging for women to access water, collect fuelwood, and gather food. By contrast, reforestation efforts can promote gender equity and empower women by providing better access to quality nutrition and improving their overall food security.

To build on this empowerment, we partner with women-run and women-integrative cooperatives to help women restore their local landscapes through agroforestry crops. This approach not only improves the environment but also increases family incomes, leading to even greater empowerment for women.

GOAL 6: CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION

Clean and abundant water is essential for sustaining life, but unfortunately, around 2 billion people face water stress due to factors such as pollution and degradation of forests and wetlands. However, reforestation can play a significant role in improving water supplies as trees are vital in capturing, filtering, and storing water. This is because land management and the water cycle are closely interconnected.

GOAL 8: DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

The extraction and development of any energy source typically involves some degree of land impact. However, when compared to other energy sources such as wind, solar, and fossil fuels, bioenergy has a larger deforestation footprint. The good news is that sustainable land management practices and reforestation efforts can significantly improve the sustainability of bioenergy by reducing pressure on primary forests. Furthermore, reforestation and sustainable land management can help mitigate the negative impacts of land degradation caused by the extraction of coal, gas, and petroleum-based fuels.

GOAL 8: DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

Healthy ecosystems that provide essential resources such as food, fuel, and clean water have been crucial for the growth of human societies and economies throughout history, and this remains true today. Reforestation initiatives, which involve various activities such as collecting seeds, growing seedlings, managing projects, monitoring planting sites, and practicing sustainable agroforestry, not only directly create jobs but also indirectly generate economic activity. Therefore, reforestation efforts can have a significant impact on local economies.

GOAL 9: INDUSTRY, INNOVATION, AND INFRASTRUCTURE

The development of high-quality, dependable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure necessitates the presence of healthy forests and well-managed land that can minimize the risk of natural disasters such as flooding, landslides, and dust storms. Neglecting land and failing to maintain it can result in added pressure on existing infrastructure and can reduce its lifespan and long-term effectiveness. On the other hand, healthy ecosystems can complement and support infrastructure. By planting trees and restoring degraded land, we can create thriving and healthy communities that can better support sustainable and effective infrastructure.

GOAL 10: REDUCED INEQUALITIES

Inequity frequently leads to land degradation, as marginalized communities resort to cutting down forests for fuel, hunting wildlife for sustenance, and clearing land for agriculture. Conversely, reforestation initiatives can help raise incomes, enhance land productivity, and diminish the need to relocate to more fertile regions. When executed correctly, planting trees can be a mutually beneficial solution for both people and the planet, supporting UN Sustainable Development Goal.

GOAL 11: SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES

The process of planting trees can aid in the restoration of critical ecosystem services in both urban and suburban areas, as well as the rural areas that provide essential resources such as food, water, energy, and raw building materials. Improved water, soil, and air quality as a result of reforestation efforts can reduce the risks and negative impacts of environmental hazards like flash floods, respiratory illnesses, and the urban heat island effect. In addition, urban forest restoration projects that reclaim brownfield sites can strengthen urban resilience and help alleviate pressure on rural habitats.

GOAL 12: RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION

Reforestation initiatives and forest science are crucial components in the development of sustainable methods for the production and extraction of agricultural goods, forest products, energy, and minerals from land. The availability and interdependence of various resources inform decision-making processes and drive innovation, which aids us in improving our practices and outcomes.

GOAL 13: CLIMATE ACTION

Trees that are in good health have the capacity to cool the planet by taking in and retaining harmful particulate pollutants and greenhouse gases (GHGs). Mature trees, for instance, can absorb an average of 22lbs of CO2 annually. Reforestation projects can boost the resilience of ecosystems, lessen the effects of climate change, and provide individuals and governments with an opportunity to adapt to evolving conditions. By planting native seedlings in ecologically appropriate zones, we can counteract soil and biodiversity depletion, as well as enhance human well-being.

GOAL 14: LIFE BELOW WATER

The interconnectedness of terrestrial and oceanic ecosystems means that activities taking place on land, such as surface run-off, sediment flows, and atmospheric emissions, have consequences for oceanic ecosystems. Restoring land, therefore, can help alleviate the pressures on these underwater ecosystems, enabling them to continue to provide social and economic benefits for communities living along the coastlines. This is the driving force behind our Pacific Northwest reforestation project, where we aim to plant trees specifically for the benefit of orcas.

GOAL 15: LIFE ON LAND

To create a better, more sustainable future where poverty is diminished, and resources such as food and water are readily accessible, we must prioritize reforestation and conservation efforts. It is also imperative to safeguard biodiversity and enable sustainable livelihoods. Healthy forests are essential to achieve these goals, as they have a direct impact on the well-being of individuals and communities. Therefore, we must ensure that our forests remain healthy to ensure happy people.

16. GOAL #16: PEACE, JUSTICE, AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS

Land degradation and food scarcity often force human populations to prioritize basic survival, leading to resource conflict and competition. This competition can drive further degradation and deforestation, exacerbating the situation. By restoring forests, we can reverse these negative trends and decrease the likelihood of conflict and clashes between communities.

GOAL 17: PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS

Reforestation can create opportunities for partnerships between organizations and governments, which can help scale up local initiatives to regional and national levels. Collaborating to plant trees can build strong relationships, increasing access to funding and other resources necessary for successful reforestation efforts.

Reforestation has a far-reaching impact that goes beyond just planting trees. The benefits of land restoration are numerous and can include protecting biodiversity, improving air and water quality, and sequestering carbon.

Even though a reforested area may not be exactly the same as its original state, it is possible to restore degraded forests to their former glory, providing habitats for various wildlife and ecosystem services like rainwater filtration and carbon sequestration.

The ideal method of restoration is unique to each project and is dependent on several factors such as the land's history, present condition, and future potential uses.

If you're feeling inspired by the benefits of reforestation, why not join me in planting a tree today?