As climate change intensifies, scientists and governments are scrambling for solutions. One idea gaining attention is geoengineering, where particles like diamond dust (which is projected to cost trillions of dollars) or sulfur (which is toxic) are sprayed or injected into the atmosphere to reflect sunlight and “cool the earth.”
Without a doubt, these proposals sound high-tech and appealing in their potential to mitigate global warming. However, they overlook a powerful, natural solution that’s been quietly working for millennia: trees.
If you’ve been following this column, you might say: There she goes again, talking about trees.
Well, I keep coming back to trees for a reason; not the least of which is our country’s yearly devastation from the likes of Kristine, Ompong, Yolanda, Odette, and company.
Trees not only cool the planet but also provide resilience against a range of environmental issues, including flooding, soil erosion, and loss of biodiversity.
Instead of creating new infrastructure and investing in complex geoengineering projects, why aren’t we doubling down on reforestation and forest conservation?
When we focus on technological fixes rather than ecological solutions, we risk ignoring the root of the problem and sacrificing the resilience that nature already provides.
Geoengineering vs. nature’s own cooling system
The idea of spraying particles into the atmosphere comes with risks. Both diamond dust and sulfur possess reflective qualities that, in theory, can help cool our warming planet. But these are artificial methods with uncertain outcomes—much like the search for Planet B or X.
Such geoengineering could result in unintended consequences, like disrupting weather patterns, altering rainfall, or worsening air quality. They are temporary fixes at best, and do not in any way address the core issue: greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels, deforestation, and pollution.
Trees, on the other hand, address both climate mitigation and adaptation. Forests naturally sequester carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas, so they cool the planet without interfering with weather systems. They don’t just absorb carbon; they also release oxygen, support biodiversity, regulate water cycles, and protect communities from natural disasters like landslides and floods.
In Baguio City and other vulnerable parts of the Philippines, where landslides and floods have become increasingly common because of deforestation, replanting trees is a viable solution grounded in nature.
Trees as a solution to flooding and landslides
For Baguio City, overdevelopment has left steep areas vulnerable to landslides, particularly during typhoon season. With the rapid expansion of roads, housing, and commercial projects, forests that once stabilized hillsides and absorbed rainfall have been cleared. This increases the risk of soil erosion, worsens flooding, and makes the land more prone to collapse.
Planting trees on these hillsides and other susceptible areas provides natural soil reinforcement. Tree roots stabilize the soil, reduce runoff, and ensure that rainwater is absorbed slowly, rather than pouring unchecked into rivers and streams.
In the Philippines as a whole, where an average of 20 typhoons strike each year, the impact of trees extends beyond flood prevention. Forests act as natural barriers that buffer communities from high winds, prevent soil erosion, and reduce water contamination by filtering sediments and pollutants.
Unlike temporary geoengineering solutions, which treat symptoms rather than causes, trees provide long-lasting resilience and support environmental stability.
Nature-based solutions more sustainable
The difference between geoengineering and reforestation goes beyond technology. Geoengineering is like putting a Band-Aid on a much larger wound. It may reduce warming for a short period, but it doesn’t stop greenhouse gas emissions, nor does it address the other environmental consequences of climate change.
On the other hand, planting trees doesn’t simply mitigate warming. It also contributes to healthier ecosystems and communities. Consider these benefits:
- Carbon Sequestration: Trees capture and store carbon over their lifetimes, effectively removing it from the atmosphere.
- Biodiversity: Forests are home to countless species, many of which are endangered. Reforestation supports biodiversity and strengthens ecosystems.
- Water Regulation: Trees filter water and help prevent both drought and flooding, essential for climate resilience in cities like Baguio.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Planting trees is far less expensive than large-scale geoengineering projects, so they’re more accessible for communities to implement.
Restoring our forests also doesn’t come with unknown and potentially devastating consequences—something that can’t be said of geoengineering.
Reforestation in Baguio and across the Philippines
Baguio City can take immediate, impactful steps to prioritize nature over technology. Initiatives such as reforesting landslide-prone hillsides, creating green corridors, and protecting existing forests would help build long-term resilience. City planning could focus on integrating more green spaces to absorb carbon, improve air quality, and regulate urban heat.
At a national level, the Philippines could strengthen policies that protect forests from illegal logging and deforestation while promoting community-led reforestation projects. By investing in forest conservation and reforestation, we can combat climate change, protect biodiversity, and reduce the impact of natural disasters.
Look at the bigger picture
The appeal of geoengineering lies in its simplicity and speed—it promises to cool the planet without requiring lifestyle changes or systemic adjustments. But this convenience comes with risks and could ultimately worsen environmental issues by masking the true problems.
Reforestation, though it may take time, is a natural and sustainable solution that doesn’t interfere with ecosystems but rather strengthens them.
In Baguio City and throughout the Philippines, the choice is clear.
We can work with nature by planting trees, restoring ecosystems, and allowing forests to cool the planet in the way they always have. This approach doesn’t just address climate change; it supports every aspect of sustainability, from biodiversity to disaster resilience.
It’s time for us to recognize that while quick high-tech solutions might look enticing, they can never replace the profound, lasting impact of a single tree.
