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Burning fossil fuels

Locking up our Carbon in The National Forest Replanting How The National Forest helps Reducing Statistics 01 Reducing Statistics 02 Global Warming The carbon cycle Start Natural Decay Harvesting & Processing Thinning Woodland Management Carbon Sequestration Planting Trees and Shrubs Burning Fossil Fuels Reducing Statistics 03 Reducing Statistics 04 Delivering forest Targets
Burning fossil fuels

The issues

While CO2 is naturally occurring, its concentration is rapidly increasing because of the burning of Fossil fuels - coal, oil and gas. Human activity is not only producing more CO2 but it is also severely damaging the ability of the earth to absorb carbon via its carbon sinks - oceanic plankton and forests.

The Midlands Coalfields lie under large parts of The National Forest. Coal, formed from the Fossilised remains of prehistoric forests, has been mined in the area for centuries. Burning the coal releases large amounts of carbon that has been locked up for millennia. Since the industrial revolution 850 billion tonnes of CO2 has been emitted due to combustion of Fossil fuels worldwide. Many new woodlands in The National Forest have been created on reclaimed coal mine sites.


We all have a part to play!

The creation of The National Forest can be sensibly regarded as a move in the right direction. Supporting the Forest, in any way, is a worthwhile step to take towards reducing atmospheric carbon. However, mitigation is only part of the solution. We all need to choose a less energy-consuming lifestyle if the effects of global warming are to be confronted.

The Government has also developed a carbon calculator for individuals and households.

Support

Give an unusual gift
Mark a special occasion and help create The National Forest.

Businesses
Involve your business or work colleagues.

Landowners
Are you a landowner? Find out about grants to create a woodland!

More information

The Carbon Trust has published a ‘Carbon Footpinting’ guide that provides a simple background to how a carbon footprint is calculated and offers advice to businesses and public sector organisations on how to assess their total carbon impact.

  • or there is a free advice line on 0800 085 2005.

Download a copy of our 'Locking up Carbon' process in poster form.