Forestry and Climate Change

Penulis: Erni Vida Aina (NPM 2434171009) dan Darwin H. Pangaribuan (NIDN 0013016302), Mahasiswa Pascasarjan dan Dosen Jurusan Agronomi Hortikultura, Fakultas Pertanian Universitas Lampung

"Climate change is caused by increasing greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. The dominant greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrogen dioxide"

Climate change is caused, directly or indirectly, by human activities that cause changes in the composition of the atmosphere globally and changes in natural climate variability observed over a comparable period. Mitigation is a control effort to reduce the risk of climate change through activities that can reduce emissions / increase the absorption of greenhouse gases from various emission sources. Adaptation is a process of strengthening and building strategies to anticipate climate change's impacts and implement them to reduce negative impacts and take positive benefits [1].

Climate change is caused by increasing greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. The dominant greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrogen dioxide. Climate change can cause ice to melt so that sea levels rise and coastlines recede (reducing land), and changes in temperature so that changes in rainfall patterns occur. Extreme weather phenomena are increasingly frequent, resulting in shorter rainy periods but with high rain intensity (heavy) so that the frequency of flooding increases and dry periods occur longer. Climate change does not just happen without a cause. The more it is left unchecked, the more detrimental it will be and the more it will affect humans. Global warming and climate change are caused by humans. Humans often utilize nature but do not pay attention to its sustainability and sustainability. So it takes human awareness to be wiser in utilizing natural resources [2].

Two efforts can be made to deal with climate change, namely climate change mitigation and adaptation. Climate change mitigation is an action to reduce or prevent the increase of greenhouse gas emissions and to increase carbon storage in order to overcome climate change. Climate change mitigation can be done by conserving or avoiding deforestation and degradation including changes in the function of wetlands and mangroves (as carbon stocks in trees or peat). Climate change adaptation is the process of adjusting to the current and future impacts of climate change. Climate change adaptation can be done by developing a policy framework, strengthening vulnerability assessment of climate change impacts, increasing the capacity of all parties, and strengthening implementation with cooperation between parties.

Climate change is very influential in various sectors including the agricultural sector. Climate change will affect agricultural productivity, the possibility of productivity will decrease due to extreme weather changes such as elnino, increasing the number of pests and diseases, and so on [3].

Forests are ecosystems and habitats for various species as well as a source of life for humans. Healthy forests play a role in reducing climate change because forests can absorb carbon up to billions of tons of CO2 every year. In addition, forests can also provide ecosystem services such as regulating rain patterns, maintaining water resources, and preventing flooding and erosion. Forests also provide economic and social benefits.

However, forests are currently threatened by deforestation and degradation. This problem can be addressed by forest and land rehabilitation efforts and sustainable forest management. Sustainable forest development is development that integrates environmental, social and economic aspects. Restoring damaged forests will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience to climate change while supporting human welfare and biodiversity. RHL is expected to reduce the concentration of CO in the atmosphere as well as a climate change mitigation measure for communities in and around forest areas.

 In conclusion, humans cause climate change and also has an impact on humans, therefore humans must be wise in utilizing natural resources. Climate change that has occurred can be overcome by mitigation and adaptation actions. Mitigation action in the form of planting trees, and preserving nature. Adaptation to climate change is to be able to carry out integrated pest control in the agricultural sector.

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