Trees are back on the agenda, but will it last?
Over the last 12 months, there has been widespread understanding and appreciation for the role of natural climate solutions such as reforestation in tackling the climate crisis. In fact, according to research in 2019 by Swiss University, ETH Zurich, growing 1 trillion trees is not only possible but is one of largest potential solutions on offer to removing greenhouses from the atmosphere. This has galvanized large and ambitious commitments from organizations around the world to plant billions of trees. And despite unified international climate action continuing to stall at a frustrating COP25, Central American countries are showing a path forward. The 8 member countries of the Central American Commission for Environment and Development (CCAD), including Nicaragua, are putting together a bold plan to protect 10 million hectares of land and restore 500,000 hectares of forest.
This represents a significant shift in perception and support of the reforestation efforts of Taking Root and others around the world. Furthermore, we are extremely exited about the promise of beginning to realise the full benefits offered by widespread reforestation. However, so far they are just promises. The real challenge is ensuring these commitments and funding are connected to meaningful, well-considered actions on the ground which lead to impacts which last. Now that the politicians and CEO’s have made the headlines, it is the local communities on the ground who must become centre stage. If those solutions are to stand the test of time, it is local communities who must come first and be the ones who benefit the most from the implementation of natural climate solutions.
How Taking Root is driving community led reforestation
This year Taking Root celebrates its 10 year anniversary. From 22 farmers in 2010, Taking Root is now working with over 1,000 and this year and has become the largest single reforestation effort in Nicaragua, covering the equivalent of over 6,800 football fields. Currently, despite the disruptions due to COVID-19 we are on track to fulfill our largest planting season to date (read more about our approach to COVID-19 as of the 19th March). This success has only been possible by putting communities’ and farmers’ needs first and building long-lasting, trusting relationships to create hyperlocal forest solutions which can be unified to create widespread changes. Farmers’ success means that while Taking Root’s model continues to spread rapidly in Nicaragua, it is also now being used by others to implement community led reforestation across Latin America.
But there is a long way to go. This year also brought home some of the very real challenges and risks facing smallholder farmers due to the climate crisis. Delays in the rains this year meant crop losses for many of the farmers in the regions which Taking Root operates. These are some of the most vulnerable communities to climate change, with seemingly small differences in rainfall or temperature having far-reaching consequences for their livelihoods and well-being. These smallholder farmers and local communities want to grow trees, but they will only succeed if the care, attention and trust is built to create solutions which are designed around their needs and improves their livelihoods for the long term.
As we enter 2020, our goal is to bridge the gaps between commitments and action, international funding and local inclusion. This is necessary to create local community solutions at scale that tackle the climate crisis while strengthening the resilience and well-being of the thousands of smallholder farmers we aim to serve.
Read our full annual report here
Author: Will Sheldon, Commercial Director
