We are deforesting madly here too (Aust, not casting aspersions at NZ.)
Science can only fix it by improving carbon emission free energy and transportation which will reduce emissions but not remove CO2 from the atmosphere.
Reafforestation is the only way. This includes cleaning up the ocean so marine plants can prosper again (and critters with it.)
YOU can do something: pressure your local council to plant more trees and plant some trees yourself. Even on a small block, if you have a fence that gets sun most of the day then with a few posts and 1, 2 or 3 wires you can grow grapes, apples, pears or quinces along that fence. Have a spot with nothing much in it? Dig a hole and plant 4 trees in it, 4 peach trees chosen to give a nice long harvest period. 45cm spacing*, prune the trees so the middle is empty allowing air and sun to reach the trees. Root competition keeps the trees small so not much space is taken up but the four trees give enough fruit to make it worthwhile. Or cherries where they grow, etc.
Apricot trees grow like topsy and cutting it back just increases the rate of growth. Need a BIG spot and a chainsaw to grow an apricot tree! Apple and pear trees can grow huge too, hence my suggestion to espalier them against a fence.
Supermarkets sell bland apples, golden (cotton wool) “Delicious” and gala, fuji etc. Pfffft!
King David, an offspring of Jonathon and Winesap, spicy-tart! Be great juice!
Mcintosh, the most popular apple in the US.
Cornish Aromatic with real flavor and crunch.
Cox Orange Pippin, texture, flavor, aroma in the best eating apple!
Etc Etc. Have a look here:
https://www.heritagefruittrees.com.au/and here:
https://www.woodbridgefruittrees.com.au/There is a great resource for info on fruit, an English company operating in England and the US.
www.orangepippin.co.ukwww.orangepippin.comNot all fruits on the orange pippin list is avaible here, mind, but any apple or cherry variety you come across here will be listed.
The so-called fresh food people don’t stock Janathan. Why not? It does not store well! Grow it yourself and do the planet a favor at the same time.
* I will confirm the spacing of the four-trees-in-one-hole.