I just got a CO2 meter and checked the levels in my house and went down a rabbit hole trying to address the issue. Apparently it would take 249 areca palms to offset the carbon RESPIRATION of one adult.

So okay 249 trees just for me to breathe, not to mention the rest of the bad things we all do.

So how can this math ever balance? 249 trees just to break even seems like an impossible number. Then all the flights I have been on, miles driven, etc.

I feel like that’s… Way too many trees. Is it hopeless or am I missing something?

  • Andy
    91·
    1 year ago

    Check this out:

    https://en-roads.climateinteractive.org/scenario.html

    As others have pointed out, this is an industrial-scale problem that can’t be solved through individual consumer choices, but if I understand your post, you’re asking more genuinely how we are ever supposed to make the math work.

    This is a simple, user-friendly research-grade tool for analyzing the projected effects of various interventions. The answer to your question is:

    1. We decarbonize energy generation
    2. We decarbonize transport
    3. We stop generating methane (from industry and farming)
    4. We stop deforesting and start reforesting

    Doing all of these will stop the increase of heating, which will keep us to around 1.5 degrees of warming. The last step required would be industrial direct-air carbon capture.

    That’s currently the best plan that physics and engineering offer us.