Seeing the Forest for the Trees: Forests, Climate Change, and Our Future

People have known for centuries that forests and their use affect the climate, and this book explores the historical origins, controversy, and modern rebirth of the idea. It provides a comprehensive perspective across physical and biological sciences, humanities, and demonstrates the use of forests in climate-smart forestry and as a natural climate solution.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 300 pages
Publication date: 09 February 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

For centuries, people have recognized the profound impact of forests and our utilization of them on the climate. In the face of modern environmental concerns, there has emerged a significant scientific, governmental, and popular interest in planting trees for climate protection. This book delves into the historical origins of the notion that forests influence climate, exploring the bitter controversy that ultimately ended the scientific pursuit of this topic. Spanning from the 1500s to the present, it offers a comprehensive perspective across the physical and biological sciences, as well as the humanities, to elucidate the diverse ways in which forests exert their influence on the climate. It highlights their role in climate-smart forestry and their designation as a natural climate solution. Moreover, the book underscores the interconnectedness of human andsylvan fates in the forest-climate question, making it accessible to students in environmental and related sciences, as well as anyone with a keen interest in understanding the intricate environmental workings of forests and their interactions with climate.

Weight: 718g
Dimension: 254 x 204 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108467841