Planting trees as a way to offset the carbon emissions from flying is a concept known as carbon offsetting. The idea behind carbon offsetting is that by planting trees, which absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as they grow, it can help to offset the emissions generated from activities such as flying.
Carbon offsetting is a way for individuals and companies to take responsibility for their carbon footprint and invest in projects that help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. There are a variety of different types of carbon offset projects, such as tree planting, renewable energy, and energy efficiency projects.
However, while tree planting is a way to remove CO2 from the atmosphere, it’s not a panacea. Trees grow slowly, and mature trees absorb more CO2 than young saplings, so it takes time for tree planting projects to have a significant impact on carbon emissions. Also, the carbon stored in a forest can be release in case of forest fires, deforestation or degradation.
Additionally, some critics argue that carbon offsetting can create a “moral hazard” by allowing individuals and companies to continue to emit greenhouse gases without making the necessary changes to their own behavior. This is why, it’s important to combine carbon offsetting with direct reduction of emissions.
Overall, while planting trees can be a good way to offset carbon emissions, it’s not a substitute for reducing emissions at the source.
