Olivia Møller
Freediver - Activist - Explorer
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Olivia Møller
Freediver - Activist - Explorer
There was a time when vast forests blanketed continents, rivers ran free, and wildlife moved across landscapes unhindered. Today, we inhabit a very different world. Modern society's hunger for resources has left ecosystems fragmented, forests razed, and countless species under threat. Climate change, largely driven by human activity, is the consequence of this imbalance. But there is hope. Rewilding and reforestation are emerging as powerful, natural solutions to some of the planet's most pressing challenges.
Rewilding and reforestation are often mentioned together, yet they represent distinct, though complementary, approaches.
Rewilding aims to restore ecosystems to their natural, uncultivated state. It’s about letting nature take the lead — reintroducing native species, allowing forests and grasslands to regenerate, and reestablishing natural processes like predation and nutrient cycling. Rewilding isn't just planting trees; it's rebuilding the architecture of ecosystems.
Reforestation, by contrast, specifically focuses on planting trees to replace those lost to deforestation or degradation. Done thoughtfully, it replenishes forests that act as carbon sinks, protect biodiversity, and regulate water cycles.
Both practices have a direct role in mitigating climate change. Both demand our attention.
Forests absorb around 30% of the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions released from fossil fuels every year. They store carbon in their biomass and soils, helping stabilize atmospheric CO2 levels. Tropical forests, in particular, play a disproportionately large role despite occupying a relatively small portion of the Earth's surface.
But deforestation is undoing these benefits. When forests are cleared, not only do we lose a carbon sink, but the carbon stored in trees is released back into the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change.
By restoring forests through reforestation and protecting them through rewilding, we can reverse some of this damage. According to a widely cited 2019 study published in Science, global reforestation efforts could capture up to 205 billion tonnes of carbon — two-thirds of the carbon released into the atmosphere by human activities.
However, it’s not just about planting any tree anywhere.
Large-scale tree planting campaigns have recently gained popularity. Governments and corporations announce targets in the millions or billions of trees, often with significant media fanfare. Yet, not all reforestation is created equal.
Planting non-native monocultures can harm soil health, reduce biodiversity, and even make forests more vulnerable to pests, diseases, and fires. Fast-growing species like eucalyptus or pine may sequester carbon quickly but offer little to native wildlife.
Successful reforestation requires:
- Native Species: Prioritizing trees and plants that evolved within the local ecosystem.
- Diverse Planting: Encouraging a mix of species, ages, and structures for resilience.
- Community Involvement: Working with local people who understand the land.
- Long-Term Stewardship: Ensuring forests are protected beyond the initial planting phase.
Tree planting isn't a silver bullet. It's one piece of a complex puzzle.
Rewilding takes a broader view. It acknowledges that landscapes are dynamic systems shaped by the interactions of countless organisms.
One famous example is the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park in the United States. In the absence of predators, deer populations had exploded, overgrazing vegetation and altering river courses. Wolves brought balance. As deer numbers fell and changed their behavior, forests regrew, birds returned, and riverbanks stabilized.
Rewilding efforts around the world include:
- Bringing back keystone species like bison, beavers, and elephants, whose activities shape landscapes.
- Restoring wetlands that act as natural carbon sinks and flood defenses.
- Allowing forests and grasslands to regenerate naturally without human interference.
These projects don't just capture carbon; they revive entire ecosystems, creating resilience against climate impacts like floods, droughts, and wildfires.
Despite their promise, rewilding and reforestation come with challenges.
- Land Use Conflicts: Agricultural and development pressures often compete with restoration efforts. Where will we find space for rewilding in a crowded world?
- Social and Economic Impacts: In some regions, rewilding can clash with traditional land uses. Indigenous and local communities must be involved from the start.
- Ecological Risks: Introducing species without careful study can backfire. Ecosystems are complex and can react unpredictably.
Well-intentioned efforts can cause harm if driven by top-down approaches that ignore local contexts. True sustainability means working with nature and people, not against them.
Beyond the technical and ecological aspects, rewilding and reforestation invite us to rethink our relationship with nature. In an era dominated by technology, control, and consumption, they offer a radically different perspective: trust.
Trust that ecosystems know how to heal if given the space and time. Trust that complexity, diversity, and unpredictability aren't problems to be solved but strengths to be celebrated. Trust that we are part of nature, not separate from it. The most profound shift may not be physical landscapes, but mental ones.
Across the world, extraordinary projects are already underway:
- The Great Green Wall of Africa aims to restore 100 million hectares of land across 20 countries, combating desertification and creating jobs.
- Costa Rica has doubled its forest cover in a few decades through policies that pay landowners to preserve and restore forests.
- Scotland's Highlands are seeing forests, wetlands, and wildlife return through ambitious rewilding initiatives.
Each success story proves that recovery is possible. Nature is resilient, often astonishingly so, if given a chance.
It's easy to see rewilding and reforestation as tasks for governments, NGOs, and big organizations. But individuals and companies have a vital role to play.
- Supporting verified reforestation projects financially or through volunteering.
- Choosing sustainable products that don’t contribute to deforestation.
- Advocating for policies that protect existing ecosystems.
- Educating ourselves and others about the importance of biodiversity and healthy ecosystems.
Businesses, especially those tied to outdoor, marine, and sporting industries, have a unique responsibility — and opportunity — to lead. Sustainability isn't just about reducing harm; it's about actively contributing to renewal.
In a world faced with accelerating climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation, rewilding and reforestation shine as beacons of possibility. They remind us that recovery is not only necessary but achievable.
They call us to action — not merely to plant trees or protect wolves, but to plant the seeds of a different way of living: one that respects the complexity of nature, values long-term health over short-term gain, and embraces humility before the vast systems that sustain life on Earth.
There is no single solution to the climate crisis. But if we are willing to step back, to give space, to trust in the power of nature's own intelligence, we might find that the greatest act of progress is, paradoxically, letting go.
The forests can return. The rivers can flow free again. The wild can find its way home. And perhaps, so can we.