GMO Trees being developed to fight climate change

It doesn't take a scientist to understand why trees are so crucial in the fight to curb climate change. They can absorb and store carbon dioxide, a key greenhouse gas. But a Bay Area startup thinks trees can do better.

Living Carbon has developed a technique to genetically modify trees that can grow faster, and store more carbon. According to a white paper published in February, its modified poplar trees stored up to 53% more carbon than control trees. There are 600 Living Carbon trees currently planted in Oregon, with more projects developing across the southeastern United States.

"If we were to double the acreage that we have today up until 2023, we would be able to actually plant enough trees to remove 1.66% of global emissions in 2021." CEO Maddie Hall told CNET. "That is very significant. That's the emissions of millions of people."