Ever wondered how we pick our tree planting partners here at TreeEra? Just with any aspect of the sustainability industry, tree planting is susceptible to greenwashing. If you’re unfamiliar, greenwashing has been defined as: disinformation disseminated by an organization so as to present an environmentally responsible public image.
A perfect example? When fast-fashion companies create a โgreenโ line of clothing from ‘recycled materials’ but make no other changes to their company’s global supply chain that is often the real culprit when it comes to carbon emissions. Greenwashing is on the rise and it is driven by the growing consumer demand for sustainability as a non-negotiable in their purchasing decisions.
At TreeEra, we’re always mindful to work with planting organizations who understand the importance of avoiding planting only one species of tree in a concentrated area, known as monoculture. Why? Monoculture in the afforestation (tree planting) industry can result in poor biodiversity and negatively affect the ecosystem as a whole. We also ensure that our partners don’t choose to plant on valuable grassland and wetland areas. These environments are already extremely important for carbon storage due to the relationship between native plant species and soils in these areas and critical for biodiversity. With wetlands covering approximately 6-9% of the Earth’s surface and containing about 35 percent of the Earth’s land-based carbon, these carbon sinks are invaluable in the fight against climate change. When trees are planted without the proper considerations, erosion and disease often occur in these newly planted areas which results in these trees being used as a timber resource instead of a conservation area.
Beyond the ecological impacts, greenwashing in the tree planting industry deeply affects the people who live in these plant areas. On a human level, irresponsible reforestation or afforestation methods can lead to issues with food security and food systems when agricultural land is commandeered for trees. Members of these communities can be left with degraded landscapes and collapsed economies when the land eventually becomes unviable due to erosion.
It’s easier than you think to avoid these tree planting pitfalls. Our solution: we’re passionate about building relationships with grass-roots organizations that focus on the ecological, social, and economic health of the communities they are planting in. This involves hiring and training local people to plant, planting native species of trees in the right locations, and choosing responsible plant areas. At home in Canada, we’re proud to be practicing responsible tree planting by working with a partner who creates community forests by planting trees in previously cleared areas as well as supporting the re-planting of native species in conservation areas in partnership with Provincial Parks.
We know when companies are looking for ways to meet their sustainability goals, greenwashing can make it really confusing and difficult to navigate. Just like a first-year University professor likely told you, research is critical when it comes to choosing the right answer. So, do your research and ask questions (we welcome it!). We know that participating in tree planting initiatives is a highly impactful way to get off the sidelines and into the fight against climate change when done in an environmentally and socially responsible way.
If you would like to chat further about how TreeEra can help your company tell its sustainability story or learn more about our business programs, reach out to us – we’d love to chat.
