2020 was Earth’s greenest year in two decades

In 2020, as human activity came to a standstill, something remarkable happened. Cities fell silent, roads emptied, and industries slowed. While people stayed indoors, Earth’s vegetation took center stage.

A recent study revealed that 2020 was the greenest year recorded by modern satellite observations from 2001 to 2020. This surge in greenery was particularly evident in northern and temperate regions, while tropical vegetation experienced a brief but noticeable growth period.

The findings raise an intriguing question: Did the pandemic, with its lockdowns and reduced pollution, allow nature to reclaim lost ground? Or were other forces at play?

Why vegetation matters

Plants do far more than cover the land with greenery. They are central to life on Earth, regulating carbon and water cycles, producing oxygen, and sustaining countless organisms. Vegetation also plays a key role in reducing the impact of fossil fuel emissions by absorbing carbon dioxide.

Monitoring global greening trends helps scientists understand how ecosystems respond to environmental changes. This knowledge can shape conservation strategies and inform efforts to combat climate warming.

The 2020 green surge provided a unique opportunity to analyze the forces driving Earth’s vegetation growth on a global scale.

The study was led by Yulong Zhang, a research scientist in the Division of Earth and Climate Science at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment.

“Terrestrial vegetation, like trees and shrubs, take up carbon dioxide through photosynthesis, so they can offer a natural climate-warming solution,” said Zhang.

Causes of 2020’s unusual Earth’s greening

To investigate the phenomenon, researchers analyzed two decades of satellite data, focusing on vegetation density, plant health, and overall structural changes. While the data showed fluctuations in global greening over the years, 2020 stood out as an anomaly.

The researchers considered whether pandemic-related reductions in human activity were responsible. Lockdowns significantly lowered pollution levels, leading to clearer skies and increased sunlight. With fewer industrial emissions and less human disturbance, plants may have received a temporary boost.

However, further analysis showed that lockdowns had only a limited impact on the surge in greenery.

“Although short-term air quality improvements and reduced disturbances slightly boosted greenness in lockdown regions, these effects faded quickly and were further counteracted by natural climate variability as the year progressed,” Zhang explained.

Drivers of Earth’s greening

Instead of lockdowns, the study pointed to broader environmental factors driving the record-breaking greening. Rising carbon dioxide levels, increasing global temperatures, and reforestation efforts played the most significant roles in the 2020 green surge.

The effect of climate warming was particularly noticeable in temperate and colder regions. In boreal forests, rising temperatures extended the growing season, allowing vegetation to flourish for longer periods. Warmer conditions in these cooler areas provided plants with the opportunity to expand.

Another key factor was large-scale tree planting and land restoration projects. These efforts were especially impactful in China and India, where aggressive afforestation programs contributed to significant greening.

“China and India were massive green hotspots, thanks to tree planting, land restoration and agricultural management efforts,” noted co-author Tong Qiu of the Nicholas School.

“High rainfall in 2019-2020 also boosted vegetation growth in the tropics, likely linked with climate oscillations, or patterns, such as La Niña and the Indian Ocean Dipole.”

Earth’s resilience and greening trend

The study highlights Earth’s ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions. Despite human activity and climate challenges, nature continues to find ways to thrive. However, this greening trend is not a guarantee of long-term environmental health.

While increased vegetation can help slow climate warming, scientists warn that extreme climate events, water shortages, wildfires, and human pressures could reverse these gains. Greener landscapes today do not necessarily mean a more stable future.

“Climate extremes, water scarcity, wildfire risk and increased human pressures could potentially slow down or even reverse these gains under a warming climate,” said co-author Wenhong Li of the Nicholas School.

“If that happens, we may see an acceleration of the ongoing climate warming.”

Need for continued monitoring

As climate change accelerates, scientists stress the importance of continuous monitoring. Understanding how vegetation responds to shifting conditions will be crucial in predicting future environmental changes.

Advanced models and enhanced satellite data collection will be essential in tracking trends and developing strategies to protect global ecosystems.

The 2020 green surge was a striking reminder of Earth’s complexity. While it may have been influenced by multiple factors, the findings reinforce the need for sustainable land management and conservation efforts.

The future of the planet depends not just on how much greenery we gain, but on how well we maintain the delicate balance between nature and human activity.

The study is published in the journal Remote Sensing of Environment.

—–

Like what you read? Subscribe to our newsletter for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates. 

Check us out on EarthSnap, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

—–