Earth’s climate is approaching a tipping point. Rampant worldwide warming has become a hallmark of our time, driven by a sharp increase in carbon pollution that contributes to extreme weather events — sea-level rise, heat waves, droughts and floods — that threaten lives and livelihoods everywhere. But the world’s forests hold the key to slowing this trend.
A storm is brewing, but there is still time to act.
Under the Weather
It’s Time to Turn Over a New Leaf
If we hope to put the freeze on climate change, it’s imperative that we protect our forests. Tropical forests store large amounts of climate-warming carbon. Nearly 25% of the world’s above-ground carbon is found on forested land managed by Indigenous peoples — making it crucial to work with local communities to strengthen their stewardship their lands. And the value is clear: In Amazonia, for example, every dollar spent on securing Indigenous land yields more than 99 dollars in environmental benefits.