Forests have major roles in the absorption of carbon
dioxide, prevention of topsoil erosion and flooding, recharging
of water resources, and protection of animals, insects and humans.
Moreover, their presence is required to counter serious environmental
problems, including global warming.
As the chief objective of TGG is to regenerate forests,
when undertaking reforestation we take great care not to destroy
the existing environment. In our projects no burning of any kind
is allowed. Although burning provides a quick, simple method of
removing weeds, as well as tree litter and debris, it discharges
large amounts of carbon dioxide and noxious compounds into the atmosphere.
Therefore, we collect the weeds, litter, and debris; crush them
into small pieces, mix the pieces with microorganisms, bat feces,
dolomite, and rock phosphate; and use the product as compost.
In our projects, no trees are felled for at least 30 years - a growing
period twice as long as in usual reforestation plants (Eucalyptus
and Acacia).
Various enterprises now are carrying out reforestation
in Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia, but within 10 years
the trees are to be cut down for pulpwood. Because the amount of
carbon dioxide accumulated in trees by fixation increases with growth,
lengthening tree age increases the amount of carbon dioxide fixed
- about 8-fold when the trunk diameter doubles from 10 to 20cm,
and about 124-fold when it increases from 10 to 50cm. If a tree
grows for only ten years, the amount of carbon dioxide fixed therefore
is small, and reforestation becomes merely the cultivation of trees.
The long-term reforestation projects of TGG are designed
to produce forests that are highly carbon dioxide absorbent.
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