Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1141804
25 OPINION between the two. Mature forests can store a lot of carbon, but this capacity is only reached after hundreds of years, not in a couple of decades of new forest growth as assumed in this study. The most recent estimate from the IPCC suggests that new forests could store on average an extra 57 billion tonnes of carbon by the end of the century. This is still a huge number and could absorb about one sixth of the carbon that's already in the atmosphere, but reforestation should be thought of as one solution to climate change among many. Even if warming is stabilised at 1.5˚C, the study indicates that one fifth of the land proposed for reforestation could be rendered too hot for growing new forests by 2050. But this concern ignores the role of carbon dioxide fertilisa- tion – when there are higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, photosynthesis is more efficient, meaning plants need less water and can still be productive at higher tempera- tures. Today, the most imme- diate threat to tropical forests is deforestation by people and the fires they light which get out of control, not the more subtle impacts of higher tem- peratures. Reforesting an area the size of the US will have massive ben- efits on local environments and will store a huge amount of man-made carbon emissions. It is not, however, a substitute for reducing those carbon emissions. Even if the world reduces its carbon emissions to zero by 2050, there will still need to be negative global carbon emis- sions for the rest of the cen- tury – drawing CO₂ out of the atmosphere to stabilise global warming at 1.5˚C. Reforesta- tion is essential for creating negative emissions – not reducing the amount of carbon that humans are still emitting. There is another sting in the tail. Massive reforestation only works if the world's current forest cover is maintained and increasing. Deforestation of the Amazon rainforest – the world's largest – has increased since Brazil's new far-right president, Jair Bolsonaro, came to power. Current estimates suggest areas of rainforest the size of a football pitch are being cleared every single minute. It won't be easy, but society needs to protect the forests we've got, and protect new forests in perpetuity to per- manently keep carbon seques- tered in trees and out of the atmosphere. maltatoday | SUNDAY • 14 JULY 2019 Prof. Mark Maslin, University College London; Prof. Simon Lewis University of Leeds TheConversation.eu avert climate breakdown? Society needs to protect the forests we've got, and protect new forests in perpetuity The Founda on for Tomorrow's Schools (FTS), responsible for new school building and school renova on in the state sector, is searching for a to deliver the vision, mission and strategic objec ves of the Founda on. The selected candidate will guide and provide oversight of all FTS opera ons and assure quality of service; manage performance and overall resources; set and integrate strategy and direc on; and guide the FTS towards long-term success. The CEO shall have overall responsibility for the Founda on and ensure effec ve management structures. As the highest-ranking official, the successful candidate will need to promote a strong work culture, vision and values and provide visible and inspired leadership. Key responsibili es • provide overall direc on; effec vely manage, promote and implement the organiza on's aims and objec ves; and develop the Founda on's growth plan; • ensure that the opera ons and ac vi es of the FTS are driven firmly and fully aligned with strategic policy objec ves of the Ministry for Educa on and Employment as its main client; • raise and maintain the quality of service provision; and • lead, guide and direct the senior execu ve team of the organiza on; mo vate subordinates and advance employee engagement. Requirements and skills • bachelor's or master's degree in a relevant discipline or MBA; • proven experience in a senior management posi on, with experience in the public service considered an asset; • goal driven and with a proven track record for effec ve team management and a high level of interpersonal, organiza onal and leadership skills; • in possession of a strategic mindset; and • ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines. Candidates are to submit their applica on, including their C.V., to Chairperson, Founda on for Tomorrow's Schools on michael.c.sant@gov.mt by not later than 31 July 2019. Jobsplus Vacancy Permit No: 480/2019 Chief Execu ve Officer (CEO)