Sir, – The importance of Dr Tom Crowther's research cannot be overemphasised and should be carefully studied by international policymakers ("Planet's total tree cover down 46 per cent since arrival of humans", September 2nd).
Not only would worldwide reforestation help address problems such as soil erosion, but planting trees could contribute on a colossal scale to the reduction of carbon emissions, which in turn could delay global warming and climate change, thus ensuring food security into the future.
It is as simple as that; just one acre of trees can absorb 2.6 tons of carbon dioxide. With our dependence on fossil fuel and our subsequent carbon tax at €20 per ton, an extensive tree planting programme makes sense.
For many years the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has tried to educate member states as to the necessity of planting suitable tree species throughout the planet. I hope with the publication of these latest findings that there will be a surge in our own meagre level of forest cover which, at a mere 11 per cent, is the lowest in Europe. – Yours, etc,
CAITRIONA LAWLOR,
Mount Merrion, Co Dublin.