Introduction:
Riparian forests around Hallam Lake in September 2023.
Exploring the Relationship Between Forests and Carbon
The 2024 State of the Forest Report explores the critical relationship between forests and carbon. On a surface level, these may seem to be two very different things. Carbon is an atom, and forests are massive ecosystems. But upon closer examination, the relationship and its importance to modern life on Earth becomes clear.
In this State of the Forest Report, in addition to focusing on aspects of the complex interplay between carbon and forests, we specifically consider our local forests. The report opens with ACES’ CEO Chris Lane’s big-picture context-setting for this report, in which he considers the millions of years of our planetary history that have led to now. The feature articles in these pages include: “Carbon Forest,” which describes the basics of this complex relationship; “We Can’t Plant Our Way Out of the Climate Crisis,” an exploration of the complex role of tree planting in managing climate change and the industry that has developed around these efforts; and “The Future of Colorado Forests: A Conversation,” featuring a discussion with William Anderegg, Ph.D., exploring what the future might hold for Colorado forests in a world with more carbon in the atmosphere. We also take a look at common challenges for forests in our “Condition Update,” and we report in on some of our work in “Results of ACES’ Initiatives.”
Exploring how the relationship between forests and carbon has shaped and continues to shape Earth’s climate is a topic that can feel overwhelming and even hopeless. One of the refrains of the climate movement is that individual action does not matter, and climate change can only be solved by collective action. This is undeniably true, but it diminishes the power that individuals have. Collective action requires groups of individuals. In democracies, policy doesn’t lead, and talk is cheap. Policy change will follow the actions of individuals and groups that show that change is possible. If we aren’t living our values, we can’t expect policy to get us there.
To successfully mitigate the worst impacts of climate change, we need policies and decisions that protect intact ecosystems, including forests. On a local scale, it is frequently individuals who have catalyzed movements to protect areas. Here in our area, the Maroon Belles, Dottie Fox, Joy Caudill, and Connie Harvey worked to ensure that much of the land in the Roaring Fork Watershed is federally protected wilderness areas. We need to continue this legacy. Our forests have taken hundreds or even thousands of years to develop. We don’t have time to start over.
Adam McCurdy
Forest and Climate Director
Aspen Center for Environmental Studies
Adam McCurdy
Forest and Climate Director
Aspen Center for Environmental Studies
