MuCAARD-UK and carbon sequestration.
Carbon sequestration has been in the news over the last few years and questions have been raised about how effective it is to plant trees to store carbon from the atmosphere.
MuCAARD-UK holds a strong position on this subject and feels that the Kahoy project has something to offer in the battle to combat global warming.
It is estimated that deforestation contributes up to 17% of all carbon emissions and the Kahoy project is a small step to reverse this situation.
Unproductive grassland in Damulog baranguay.
The farmers involved in Kahoy are committed to planting trees on deforested land. The majority of this land is unsuitable for agriculture because it is too steep and at present is unproductive grassland covering eroded and degraded soil.
The aim of the Kahoy project is to establish tree cover on this land to improve the environment and provide an income for farmers through sustainable forestry.
3 year old mahogany trees.
Every tree planted absorbs carbon from the atmosphere every day because as it grows it uses carbon dioxide to create the cells that form the trunk, branches and leaves. In fact 2 tonnes of timber relates to 1 tonne of carbon.
Every £1 donated plants 2 trees and provides enough income to ensure the maintenance and survival of those trees.
After 10 years those 2 trees could weigh between 2 and 3 tonnes depending on growing conditions. Effectively after 10 years £1 invested equates to the removal of 1 tonne of carbon from the atmosphere just from the growth of the timber alone!
We can add to these figures by encouraging small industries such as furniture manufacture which will lock up carbon for even longer and provide valuable jobs to poor communities.