FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 14, 2023
CONTACT
Diana Dombrowski, Carbon Removal Fellow, diana@appvoices.org
Adam Wells, Regional Director of Community and Economic Development, adam@appvoices.org
WISE, Va. — Today, Appalachian Voices released a new white paper, “Reforesting Mine Lands Through the Carbon Market: One Nature-Based Solution for Two Deep Challenges” to explore how carbon offset markets could help reforest mine land in Central Appalachia. A webinar next Wednesday, Sept. 20, will present key findings from the report and explore applications of a reforestation project on former mine lands with the carbon offset market.
Over the last year, Appalachian Voices studied the current science of nature-based carbon removal projects as well as the successful models of reforesting former mine lands in Central Appalachia.
“There is a pressing need to bring high-quality reforestation to former mine sites across the region, and there is also an urgent need to remove carbon from the atmosphere,” said Adam Wells, Regional Director of Community and Economic Development with Appalachian Voices. “Reforesting mine lands with the carbon offset market may offer a significant opportunity to meet these needs while creating local jobs and other local benefits. We’re excited to take the next steps toward launching a pilot project.”
Carbon removal projects exist to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as a method of combating climate change. Such projects are designed to monitor and document carbon dioxide sequestration in trees and enact land uses that store that carbon for the long term. Credits based on this sequestration can be bought and sold on carbon markets by governments and corporations seeking to offset their carbon emissions.
“Carbon markets have come a long way in recent years, with increasing attention given to how to do carbon credits through an environmental justice framework, which makes now the right moment for Appalachian Voices to undertake a project like this,” said Diana Dombrowski, Carbon Removal Fellow with Appalachian Voices.
Reforestation designed to restore native species can also enhance carbon sequestration. Such projects can foster community involvement and benefit local economies and environments, including by creating jobs and enhancing local water quality.
Join our webinar on Wednesday, Sept. 20 at 2 p.m. ET, to learn about how combining mine land reforestation with the carbon offset market could benefit local communities and the climate.
RSVP here to attend.
Adam Wells and Diana Dombrowski of Appalachian Voices will lead the webinar with Alayna Chuney from Carbon180, a leading carbon removal organization. Civic, nonprofit and business leaders and members of the media and public are encouraged to attend.
This initiative is supported by Carbon180 in their regranting program for environmental justice organizations.
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Appalachian Voices is a leading nonprofit advocate for a healthy environment and just economy in the Appalachian region, and a driving force in America’s shift from fossil fuels to a clean energy future.
Carbon180 is a new breed of climate NGO dedicated to bringing together the people, resources, and vision to realize a carbon-removing world.
