Buy an Acre

Protecting an existing forest is shown to be around 40x more effective than planting a new one. 

Established Ecosystem: Rainforests are incredibly complex ecosystems that have developed over thousands, even millions, of years. They are home to an immense variety of plant and animal species, many of which are not found anywhere else. This biodiversity is critical for the health of the planet, and maintaining this balance is far more difficult to recreate through planting new trees.

Carbon Storage: Mature rainforests act as large carbon sinks. They store significant amounts of carbon in both the vegetation and the soil. When forests are disturbed or destroyed, much of this carbon is released back into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. A mature forest stores far more carbon than newly planted trees, which take decades or centuries to sequester comparable amounts.

Soil and Water Regulation: Established rainforests help to regulate local and global climate by influencing weather patterns, water cycles, and soil quality. The roots of mature trees maintain soil integrity, prevent erosion, and contribute to nutrient cycling. Planting new trees, especially in degraded or cleared areas, may not immediately restore these complex processes.

Faster Impact on Climate Change: Protecting existing forests can immediately slow down the rate of deforestation and reduce carbon emissions, whereas newly planted trees take time to grow and start sequestering significant amounts of carbon. In essence, protecting what already exists provides a quicker, more substantial benefit in terms of climate mitigation.

Biodiversity Preservation: Protecting an existing rainforest ensures that the species living there continue to thrive. Many species, especially those adapted to specific environments like rainforests, cannot survive if their habitat is destroyed. Planting new trees, while important, doesn’t automatically ensure the return of the diverse species that once thrived in the area.

Cost and Time Efficiency: Protecting an existing forest is generally more cost-effective and faster than the long-term process of reforestation. Restoration efforts often require large investments in land management, monitoring, and dealing with issues such as invasive species, and it can take decades or even centuries for new trees to reach the same ecological function as an old-growth forest.