TBT: Trying to plant a trillion trees won't solve anything

PLUS: The best WIRED stories from this month a year ago. View this email in your browser  |  Manage newsletter subscriptions 10.15.20 Could planting a trillion trees save us from climate change? One article suggested that such an action would be "one of the most effective carbon drawdowns to date." But while planting a trillion trees sounds like a nice idea, it's going to take a lot more than seedlings and fancy agriculture to change our course. Read all about the trillion-tree idea, plus the best WIRED stories from this month a year ago below.   Trying to Plant a Trillion Trees Won't Solve Anything We're not going to stop climate change with just seedlings and fancy agriculture. We also need to reduce emissions. The Best Stories From This Month, Last Year 'Joker Stairs' and the Problem With Meme Tourism Instagrammers flocking to the Bronx to take one picture defeats the purpose of globe-spanning cultural moments. Most Deepfakes Are Porn, and They're Multiplying Fast Researchers worry that doctored videos may disrupt the 2020 election, but a new report finds that 96 percent of deepfakes are pornographic. A New Gene Helps Explain Why Some People Need Less Sleep The lucky devils who thrive on just a few hours' sleep may be benefiting from a gene mutation that increases wakefulness and keeps memory intact. Scientists Take Baby Steps Toward Extraterrestrial Babies Can sperm survive microgravity? Do eggs hold up to radiation? The new science of off-planet procreation is now getting underway. The Death of Cars Was Greatly Exaggerated The founders of Uber and Lyft, among others, declared that people would no longer need to own cars. Instead, car ownership is rising.  On TikTok, There Is No Time The popular app doesn't tell users when a video was posted. Creators say that makes it easier to steal content—but there are also upsides to forgetting what day it is.     This e-mail was sent to you by WIRED. To ensure delivery to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders), please add our e-mail address, wired@newsletters.wired.com, to your address book.   View our Privacy Policy Unsubscribe or manage your newsletter subscriptions