TREEKEEPERS

The potentials and challenges of forest conservation as a climate change solution.

Oakes, a conservationist-scientist and the author of In Search of the Canary Tree (2018), embarks on a global journey exploring forest restoration and conservation efforts to combat climate change. From the jungles of Costa Rica to the Scottish Highlands and from tropical landscapes to urban settings, Oakes investigates diverse environments, interviewing hundreds of experts and delving into both environmental concerns and socioeconomic inequalities. Oakes writes, “I wanted to investigate how our forests are changing. I wanted to explore the big and bold ideas for increasing forest cover and offer a window into the lives of the people who are now shaping the future of forests in [an] effort to help rescue our own.…To what extent can forests really save us? And how?” Throughout her exploration, Oakes balances the promise of forests as nature’s carbon-absorbing powerhouses against the risks of overreliance on this single solution. Framed as part memoir, Oakes positions herself as both an ecologist-conservationist and a concerned mother. However, her scrupulous research presentation frequently overshadows her storytelling, occasionally compromising the narrative flow. Although Oakes’ writing lacks the captivating style of seasoned environmental journalists like Elizabeth Kolbert or Bill McKibben, her work provides a comprehensive study of this crucial topic. She presents both the rewards and the challenges of maintaining healthy forests as a climate change solution, contributing significantly to the ongoing dialogue on environmental conservation and climate action. Despite its occasional density, Oakes offers an earnest and in-depth exploration of innovative strategies to increase forest cover and the potential impact on our changing climate. It serves as an important resource for those seeking to understand the complexities of forest conservation in the face of global environmental challenges.

A meticulous if sometimes overwhelming examination of forests’ role in combating climate change.