According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), in order to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, we must not only cap climate-damaging greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, but also reforest up to one billion hectares of land. The latter is “undoubtedly achievable,” according to the study by ETH researchers in Zurich.

The 2023 Forest Condition Survey shows that, depending on the tree species, between 80 and 90 percent of our trees are significantly damaged. 

Following the extremely dry and hot summers from 2018 to 2020, the area affected by damage is expanding at an ever-faster rate. In many places, the trees are so weakened that bark beetles and other pests have an easy time completing their work of destruction.

Yet everyone has long been aware of the positive effects of a healthy forest. In addition to carbon sequestration, these include, above all, the direct impact on the local climate (providing shade), biodiversity, the protection of animals and plants, and groundwater protection. The forest provides us with oxygen and protects us from avalanches and mudslides. And as a very personal positive aspect, we must not forget that the forest plays a very important role as a recreational area for most people. 

The long-standing belief that “the forest will regenerate on its own” no longer applies to the current situation. The most severely damaged forest areas are coniferous forests. What made perfect sense for reforestation—especially in the postwar years—for economic reasons (as a source of raw materials) is no longer compatible with the new climatic conditions. With natural forest regeneration, a spruce forest largely gives rise to a new spruce forest, which is not very effective. Reforestation must be accompanied by forest restructuring. We must move toward a healthy mixed forest with tree species that are better suited to the climate of the future.

So that our forest is ready to face the challenges of the future!