The study, led by Chi Chen and colleagues, highlights the significant role of China and India in the global greening trend, driven primarily by human land-use management. Using satellite data from 2000 to 2017, the researchers found that China and India account for nearly one-third of the global net increase in leaf area, with China contributing 25% and India 6.8%. The greening is particularly prominent in croplands and forests, with China focusing on afforestation and India on multiple cropping and irrigation. The study emphasizes the importance of realistic representation of human land-use practices in Earth system models to accurately capture the dynamics of global greening. The findings underscore the need for sustainable land management practices to balance environmental benefits and resource constraints.The study, led by Chi Chen and colleagues, highlights the significant role of China and India in the global greening trend, driven primarily by human land-use management. Using satellite data from 2000 to 2017, the researchers found that China and India account for nearly one-third of the global net increase in leaf area, with China contributing 25% and India 6.8%. The greening is particularly prominent in croplands and forests, with China focusing on afforestation and India on multiple cropping and irrigation. The study emphasizes the importance of realistic representation of human land-use practices in Earth system models to accurately capture the dynamics of global greening. The findings underscore the need for sustainable land management practices to balance environmental benefits and resource constraints.