Greener Than 1999!

The duo increased greatly their annual total green leaf area and their food production. These were actualised through multiple committed programs by both these countries. 

By: Danah Kaouri

Photo by: Sergio Souza

The two countries with the fastest population growth, are responsible for making our Earth greener than it was 20 years ago, says NASA. 

Given China’s ambitious planting programs and India breaking world records in tree planting 800,000 citizens planting 50 million trees with 24 hours, in addition to intensive agriculture in both countries, they are responsible for the increase in foliage around the planet.

According Chi Chen of the Department of Earth and Environment at Boston University, in Massachusetts, and lead author of the study, the duo account for one-third of the greening on our planet, despite having only 9% of the earth’s land area covered in vegetation. This discovery is impressive as both these countries have dense populations. 

The duo increased greatly their annual total green leaf area and their food production. These were actualised through multiple committed programs by both these countries. 

China’s programs to conserve and expand forests that were developed in an effort to reduce soil erosion, air pollution and climate change were what made it an outstanding country in its contribution. As for India, its contribution to the greenery came from intensive cultivation and food crops, however, this depends on groundwater, which in case was depleted, can stand in the way of this progress.  

The greening of the planet over the last two decades represents an increase in leaf area on plants and trees equivalent to the area covered by all the Amazon rainforests. There are now more than two million square miles of extra green leaf area per year, compared to the early 2000s – a 5% increase.

However, these achievements do not mitigate the damage from loss of natural vegetation in tropical regions such as Brazil and Indonesia, there are still barriers that stand in the way of sustainability and biodiversity in those eco-systems.