The World’s Forests Are Doing Much Better Than We Think
It’s a sign that not every indicator is pointing toward doom — though there is no room for complacency.
The damage we do to our planet isn't inevitable.
Photographer: Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images
Think of a planet in the grip of climate crisis, and many of the images in your mind will be carved from wood. Forests in Canada and Australia going up in flames; loggers in the jungles of Indonesia and Brazil chain-sawing ancient trees for lumber; monocultural fir plantations marching in geometric order up the hillsides of Scotland or Sweden.
You might be surprised to discover, then, that many of the world’s woodlands are in a surprisingly good condition. The destruction of tropical forests gets so much (justified) attention that we’re at risk of missing how much progress we’re making in cooler climates.