A world where we can take pride in being human

Problem

Approximately 2 million years ago humans evolved.

Since then we have cut down almost half of the planets trees. This eventually leads to the release of the carbon stored in both the trees themselves and the soils below them.

A large proportion of these deforested areas are then used in the grazing of cattle and other livestock, or the production of crops, a lot of which are grown purely to feed livestock.

These are additional sources of atmospheric carbon and add to the industrial sources more typically associated with climate change.

Solution

LEAF identifies areas fit for habitat restoration or “rewilding”.

In these deforested areas, we provide young trees to be planted, develop tree nurseries or provide alternative sources of income to those reliant upon the land.

We aim to collaborate with local people to integrate traditional local knowledge and scientific knowledge to promote the conservation and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystem services as well as assisting the local area in sustainable development.

While there is no doubt that the global North is responsible for driving much of this deforestation through demand for commodities like soy, beef and oil palm, there is no doubt that in terms of habitat restoration for conserving biodiversity and sequestering carbon, the tropics provide much more potential for these activities. The global South contribute the least to global emissions, but feel the impacts of climate change earliest and hardest, at LEAF we aim to help protect and restore ecosystem services to support sustainable livelihoods and to help combat climate change.