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Planting a tree so in 100 years from now, that CO2 is offset, will not in fact prevent a climate catastrophe in the next 20 years. If any planting even happens
by stefan_ 6y ago
Planting a tree so in 100 years from now, that CO2 is offset, will not in fact prevent a climate catastrophe in the next 20 years.
If any planting even happens; trees for CO2 whitewashing is like the perfect scam opportunity because nobody cares if you deliver.
- renewiltord 6y agoYeah, there's a timing issue with tree planting certainly. You have to discount the trees some amount for the effect. And it's not a 100 years. That flight will be covered by the oak in under 20 years. Of course, you still have to discount but it makes things much more feasible. That's why you usually don't plant trees. You can do other stuff that wouldn't otherwise get done.
- Technically 6y agoI can't help but think that this is exactly the kind of back of the envelope calculation that excuses an absolutely massive amount of un-offsetted carbon that, as ben shapiro helpfully points out, "don't care about your feelings". I seriously doubt that any large portion of fliers are planting oak trees to offset their flights.
- crucialfelix 6y agoA tree that only lasts 20 years will probably return all of its stored carbon to the atmosphere by burning or rotting. Only the old forests (100 years) retain it long enough to make it an effective carbon sink.
- renewiltord 6y agoThe tree will last longer than 20 years, but it'll have achieved parity by that time.