**Climate change is drying out and warming forests in the western United States, making them more vulnerable to wildfires, pests, and diseases.**.
A new study from the U.S. Forest Service found that the majority of forests in the western United States are now at high or very high risk of being damaged by these threats. The study looked at data from 2003 to 2018 and found that the amount of forest at high or very high risk increased by 15% during that time period..
The study also found that the risk of damage is increasing faster in some areas than others. For example, the risk of damage from wildfires is increasing faster in the southwestern United States, while the risk of damage from pests and diseases is increasing faster in the southeastern United States..
The study’s findings are a stark reminder of the threats that climate change poses to our forests. Climate change is already having a significant impact on forests around the world, and these impacts are only going to get worse in the future..
**What can we do to protect our forests from climate change?**.
There are a number of things that we can do to protect our forests from climate change. Some of these things include:.
* **Reducing our emissions of greenhouse gases.** Greenhouse gases are the gases that trap heat in the atmosphere and cause the planet to warm. Reducing our emissions of greenhouse gases will help to slow the pace of climate change and reduce its impacts on our forests..
* **Planting trees.** Trees help to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen. Planting trees can help to offset our emissions of greenhouse gases and improve the air quality in our communities..
* **Managing our forests sustainably.** Sustainable forest management practices can help to reduce the risk of wildfires, pests, and diseases. These practices include thinning forests to reduce the amount of fuel available for fires, and using prescribed burns to control the spread of pests and diseases..
Climate change is a serious threat to our forests, but there are things that we can do to protect them. By taking action to reduce our emissions of greenhouse gases, plant trees, and manage our forests sustainably, we can help to ensure that our forests continue to provide us with the many benefits that we rely on..
**Here are some additional tips for protecting our forests from climate change:**.
* **Choose sustainable wood products.** When you buy wood products, look for products that are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). FSC certification ensures that the wood was harvested from a sustainably managed forest..
* **Support organizations that are working to protect forests.** There are a number of organizations that are working to protect forests from climate change. You can support these organizations by donating money, volunteering your time, or spreading the word about their work..
* **Get involved in your community.** You can get involved in your community by volunteering for local tree planting projects or by advocating for policies that protect forests..
By taking these steps, we can all help to protect our forests from climate change and ensure that they continue to provide us with the many benefits that we rely on..
