Man-planted forests to control desert
@redyellowblackdog (10629)
United States
April 8, 2007 3:15pm CST
China is planting a huge forest to help control a desert. Said desert threatens to eventually cause millions of Chinese to have to move from their homes and sand storms could threaten the Bejing Olympics if something is not done.
The url below has more info and a video in connection with the story.
http://www.reuters.com/news/video/videoStory?videoId=47942
To me, what the Chinese are doing makes a lot of sense and has a high probablility of success. I think this is an attempt by man to control and alter his environment in a sensible realistic manner.
I have 2 questions.
1) Do you agree that what the Chinese are doing here is worthwhile and likely to succeed?
2) Doesn't this tree planting operation sound more realistic than the "carbon credits" buy back plan of the western world?
4 people like this
4 responses
@The_Eagle_1 (1121)
• Australia
9 Apr 07
I think we could take a leaf out of their book, hang on ... I think they stole the idea from us!!
Our Dept. Of Agriculture issued 1000's & 1000's of native trees to our farmers FREE!! To help cut down soil erosion and help with the carbon levels, and that was a couple of years ago !! Damn fine idea that was too!!
So 1: yes 2:Definately.. Have a good one red!
@redyellowblackdog (10629)
• United States
9 Apr 07
You make a good point Eagle. I planted about 100 free trees I got from the state of Arkansas Agriculture Department almost 20 years ago.
Here in the USA, almost every county has a governmental office to advise and help farmers. Most of these offices give out trees or sell them at low cost.
1 person likes this
@Chiang_Mai_boy (3882)
• Thailand
9 Apr 07
The Chinese are definitely doing a good thing. I wish the Thai government would take a look. The idea of forestry management here has not progressed beyond slash and burn.
I think the idea of "carbon credits" should be more properly labelled "guilt swapping."
1 person likes this
@redyellowblackdog (10629)
• United States
9 Apr 07
I am quite happy the "carbon credits" are not fooling as many people as their inventors had hoped.
1 person likes this
@estherlou (5015)
• United States
9 Apr 07
I think the idea of planting trees is an excellant idea! Any time you plant a tree, it is a good move towards conservation. As for the carbon credits buy back plan...I'm going to have to show my ignorance on this one...I'm afraid I haven't heard of that one.
@judyt00 (3496)
• Canada
8 Apr 07
Yup, it truly does make sense to plant things to keep thesoil from shifting. and planting forests serves two more purposes besides keeping thesoil in place, Trees produce more oxygenm and they actually use some of the pollution to survive. We should be re-planting forests here in North America as well.
1 person likes this
@redyellowblackdog (10629)
• United States
8 Apr 07
Actually, I'm pretty sure here in North America we are sitting pretty good in regards to forests.
The forests owned by the paper companies, for example, are excellently managed. Why? The paper companies know to stay in business they must take good care of their trees.
Sometimes the profit motive is a good thing.
1 person likes this
