President Obama delivered an address on his administration’s plan for combating Climate Change. His plan calls for a reduction of carbon emissions, increased energy efficiency and climate adaptation planning. To quote the economy and natural resource section:
“America’s ecosystems are critical to our nation’s economy and the lives and health of our citizens. These natural resources can also help ameliorate the impacts of climate change…The Administration is also implementing climate-adaptation strategies that promote resilience in forests and other plant communities…the President is also directing federal agencies to identify and evaluate additional approaches to improve our natural defenses against extreme weather, protect biodiversity and conserve natural resources in the face of a changing climate”.
You can read the President’s Climate Action Plan here.
California is a leader in addressing climate change and our state’s urban forests are an integral part of the solution. In fact, recent research suggests that if 50 million urban trees were planted strategically in California’s cities and towns, they could offset emissions of an estimated 6.3 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually – around 3.6 percent of California’s statewide goal. Most recently the California Air Resources Board included urban forests as a strategy in its three year investment plan for cap-and-trade auction proceeds, further solidifying their role in mitigating the impacts of climate change.
California ReLeaf and its Network of local partners are working every day to address climate change, but we can’t do it alone. We need your help. The $10, $25, $100, or even $1,000 dollars you give to our efforts goes directly into trees. Together we can act on climate change and grow California’s urban forests. Join us as we work to leave a legacy for California and improve the world for generations to come.