Environment

Canada commits to planting 2 billion trees over 10 years

The $3.16 billion effort was announced mid-December

  • Jan 06, 2021
  • 290 words
  • 2 minutes
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Did you know it takes several years to plant a tree? For most people who plant trees once a year as part of an environmental movement, you’re handed a seedling and a shovel and pointed to a marked spot to dig a little hole and tuck the tree in to grow. 

It starts with a piece of land and a plan, but even that makes it sound simpler than it is. 

You have to carefully consider the soil and the ecosystem where the tree will make its new home, including what the goal is — a forest, a canopy for an urban neighbourhood, reducing wildfire risks? 

Once you’ve come up with a plan, including type and location, the seeds need to be sourced, planted and grown into hardy seedlings. While this is happening, the land also has to be prepared to welcome the trees, which may involve soil remediation. 

The long and extensive process has begun in Canada to plant two billion trees, sparked by an announcement from the Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources. Thanks to $3.16 billion in funding, this planting effort will help Canada address climate change by reducing carbon pollution and is a key part of Canada’s efforts to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

“Planting two billion trees is more than a plan for climate action. It’s a plan for creating thousands of good, green jobs. We’re confronting the urgency of climate change and getting trees in the ground starting this spring,” says O’Regan.

The announcement also comes with more than 4,000 jobs, including longer term commitments  to monitor the trees and their carbon offsets throughout their lifespans. 

Learn more about the two billion trees commitment.

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