As the climate crisis deepens, the push for technology-driven solutions has gained significant momentum, with innovations in renewable energy, electric vehicles, and emissions reduction efforts leading the charge. However, in his book Resurrect Titans, Timothy C. Thompson argues that while these efforts are valuable, they are not enough to reverse global warming. According to Thompson, true climate recovery requires a more natural approach that includes restoring mature forests that enhance natural carbon sequestration. Without incorporating nature’s own solutions, we will lose the fight against climate change.
The Appeal and Limitations of Renewable Energy
Renewable energy sources, like solar, wind, and hydropower, have gained widespread support for their role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These sources are essential for cutting our reliance on fossil fuels, but as Thompson points out in Resurrect Titans, renewables can only address the flow of new emissions, not the excess CO₂ already trapped in our atmosphere. Despite the growth of clean energy infrastructure, carbon dioxide levels continue to rise because renewables don’t actively remove CO₂ from the air. Thompson’s work emphasizes that while shifting to clean energy is critical, it must be paired with carbon removal strategies to make a measurable impact.
Why Emission Reductions Aren’t Enough
While emission reduction targets are a central focus of climate policy, Resurrect Titans reveals why this approach alone can’t undo the damage already done. Thompson explains that emissions reductions help slow the rate of warming but do not address the historical emissions that have accumulated over decades. Reducing emissions is essentially a way to stop adding fuel to the fire, but it does nothing to put out the flames. In his book, Thompson argues that active carbon sequestration, especially through mature forests, is essential to remove current emissions and legacy CO₂ and truly counteract global warming.

Technology vs. Nature: A Balancing Act
Thompson suggests that relying solely on technological fixes may overlook the immense value of natural processes like photosynthesis and carbon storage in mature trees. Forests, particularly those with mature trees, act as powerful carbon sinks that can sequester significant amounts of CO₂ over long periods. In Resurrect Titans, he advocates for an approach that balances technology with natural climate solutions. By integrating nature’s own carbon-sequestering processes into climate strategies, Thompson believes we can create a more effective and sustainable path forward, one without global warming.
The Role of Mature Forests in Carbon Sequestration
One of the core insights in Resurrect Titans is the role that mature forests play in achieving meaningful carbon sequestration. Young trees, though beneficial, do not sequester carbon at the same rate as mature trees, which have the biomass and root systems necessary to absorb and store large amounts of CO₂. Thompson’s approach, called Complete Mitigation Science (CMS), prioritizes allowing forests to reach maturity so they can maximize their sequestration potential. This natural process complements technological efforts by addressing atmospheric CO₂ directly, something that renewables and emissions reduction efforts cannot.
Policy Implications: Beyond Tech-Only Solutions
Thompson’s work in Resurrect Titans suggests that climate policy needs to expand beyond technology-focused solutions to include protection for natural carbon sinks. He calls for new policies that safeguard old-growth forests and incentivize forestry practices that allow trees higher maturity levels. According to Thompson, creating spaces where forests can thrive and act as carbon sinks is just as important as investing in renewable technology. This expanded approach would provide a dual solution: reducing current emissions while also removing existing CO₂ from the atmosphere by balancing sequestration greater than emissions.
Moving Toward a Sustainable Climate Strategy
Ultimately, Resurrect Titans serves as a call for a more comprehensive climate strategy. Thompson’s argument is not to abandon technology but to recognize that tech fixes alone won’t reverse the climate crisis. By pairing technological innovations with a commitment to enhancing natural carbon sequestration, he believes that humanity can take meaningful steps toward a stable climate. The message of Resurrect Titans is clear: only by valuing and protecting both our technological advancements and our natural resources can we hope to build a sustainable future.