FORESTS THE SIZE OF FRANCE HAVE REGROWN IN THE LAST 20 YEARS New study showing the capacity of forests to regenerate themselves will help guide smarter reforestation projects in the fight against climate change. Nearly 59 million hectares of forests – an area larger than mainland France– has regrown since 2000, according to new analysis published today by Trillion Trees - a joint venture between WWF, BirdLife International and WCS. This area of forest has the potential to store the equivalent of 5.9 Gt of CO2 – more than the annual emissions of the US. The study points to the Atlantic Forest in Brazil as one of the success stories for regeneration, where an estimated 4.2 million hectares – an area roughly the size of the Netherlands – has regrown since 2000, through a combination of planned projects to restore the forest, more responsible industry practices and other factors including migration trend towards cities.