Global forests consistently absorbed carbon dioxide over three decades, mitigating climate change, despite deforestation and wildfires.

A new study reveals that forests worldwide have consistently absorbed carbon dioxide over the past three decades, despite regional threats like deforestation and wildfires. The research, published in Nature, highlights the critical role of forests in mitigating climate change. However, it also shows that deforestation and disturbances like wildfires are threatening this vital carbon sink. Global forest sinks are maintaining a total removal of nearly half of fossil fuel emissions, but deforestation and forest degradation are causing emissions and making the sink vulnerable if these activities continue, combined with climate-induced disturbances.

July 17, 2024
6 Articles

Further Reading