This is a proposal to create Reforest the World, a project to return unused land to original forest conditions and to create new forests where none have been before.

It is crucial for human survival that we preserve large areas of plant life in the planet. Humankind has a long history of creating deserts by overcutting forests. Once an area has turned to desert it will not heal itself. The tropical rainforests which provide a significant portion of the oxygen we breathe, absorb carbon dioxide, and offer potentially valuable drug-producing plantlife and a haven for many animal species are being cut and burned at an incredible rate. In Nevada, the scruffy desert is a relatively recent condition caused by the railroads burning the pinion pine forests for fuel during the last century. It was an arid area then, now it is worse. In California, the cutting of the redwoods has reduced the range of these magnificent trees to the northern coast and part of the Sierras, now fortunately protected. The fir trees on the higher mountains in North Carolina are dying from acid fog caused by industrial pollution from industries in northern states drifting southward. Much of the arid Mediterranean region was once forested prior to the Roman empire. These are only a few examples of our rape of our planet.

Only humanity can put back what we have destroyed. Without us Nature might in several thousand years restore much of what has been lost, but it cannot heal these wounds as long as we continue to abuse natural resources. However, we can help Nature by working with it in partnership, and it will help us, too.

An immediate solution to the greenhouse effect is to plant millions of acres of trees. It is time now that we do something instead of waiting for the scientists to collect sufficient data and agree on the global warming trend. Politicians and scientists worldwide are too cautious to protect their reputations. No one wants to make a mistake with the entire ecosystem of the planet and the survival of humanity at risk. Planting trees is a solution that can do no harm. We would be helping the world back towards an ecological balance.

Trees expire moisture into the air, they filter it, break the wind, build and hold the precious topsoil and groundwater, provide shelter and food for animals and birds which devour destructive insects, and most importantly, absorb carbon dioxide, the chief cause of the greenhouse effect.

By selecting the right trees for the climatic and soil conditions, many areas of the planet could be forested and thereby slowly change local climates. Other than native species might have to be chosen. Many species of trees should be planted together and various ground flora introduced to recreate a complex, stable ecosystem. Groundwater availability in any prospective reforest area could be of concern because trees in any arid area use that precious resource. However, additional moisture released into the air by the forest could produce more rain over that area. Environmental impact would have to first be ascertained.

First, we have to recognize that this is a worldwide problem that cuts across all ideologies and political systems. Thus everyone concerned should work toward passing international laws and economic incentives to protect and preserve this irreplaceable resource. Clearcutting should be outlawed completely, national forests closed to use by timber companies; only what they can grow privately should they be allowed to cut for lumber. Locally, more trees could be planted in cities. Homeowners and developers should be strongly encouraged to preserve existing trees or plant them around homes, providing shade and cooling. Greenbelts and parks could be increased, and laws passed to protect the existing forests and individual trees. A ratio of population to the number of trees could be worked out. Heavy penalties should be enacted upon those who destroy trees without good reason and prior approval by the community.

New forest land could be government owned or privately owned conservancies with governmental restrictions on use. Some forests would have varied uses as resources for timber or national parks, others with highly restricted access for scientific study, but otherwise left to grow or burn without human influence. We need wilderness.

This replanting program would provide jobs for unskilled, easily trainable laborers and would be building up resources for the future. We must learn how to be stewards of the planet, to value the forest as it is, not just as a resource for our use and profit. It is a sacred place from whence we came; it must be made sacred again.

Reforesting the world will take hundreds of years. Thus we will need people of long-range vision capable to setting up programs which our grand and great-grandchildren will inherit. If we care for the human race we will begin now.

My dream is to see the Sahara forest!

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