So why is deforestation continuing instead?  My best guess is that corrupt politicians (which is almost all of them) don't see how to make a profit from planting trees.  Politicians*, even more than most people, do not even see the real natural world or real society, but only the social realm they maintain around themselves.  It is dangerous for all of us that our "leaders" live in a delusional bubble fueled by greed and power lust.

If we restore the environment now, by planting as many trees as possible, restoring wetlands, prairies and other ecosystems, and stopping gross pollution (toxic, plastic, and greenhouse pollution too) we could save the environment, mitigate global warming, and not have to make serious sacrifices to our lifestyles.

But my guess is that humans will allow environmental degradation to continue until large numbers of humans start dying.  Especially if some of the dead are rich people!  Then there will be a panicky call to act, to do something! -- but it will likely be in the form of expensive and probably ineffective "geo-engineering" -- because that is quick (or seems quick), very profitable, and something politicians and their wealthy owners understand!  But it won't save us.  (Note: by that time planting trees would be too little too late -- trees don't grow overnight!  And if environmental degradation is serious enough, trees won't grow at all in many places once things get so bad humans are dying off.)

Peace,

*L*

PS: Every day I am more thankful I lived in the last era of a healthy environment and got to enjoy many natural wonders -- which young people today may never be able to see.

*My condemnation of politicians is not partisan.  From far left to far right, most politicians are corrupt and dishonest, only in it for the money and power.  Good people get forced out by the corrupt system -- only bad (corrupt) people can succeed in politics now.  And from what I can see this is true in most places where there are governments, except for a few small societies and communities.  (Small may not really be beautiful, but it is the only way to have honest politics, it seems!)