Are rainforests now a cause of, rather than the answer to, climate change?
Summary
A new study shows that human actions have turned some African rainforests from soaking up carbon to creating it. From 2010 to 2017, Africa's forests changed from being carbon sinks, which store carbon, to carbon sources, which release carbon. This change poses challenges to global efforts to control climate change.Key Facts
- The study was published in the journal Nature.
- Africa's forests and savannas stopped absorbing as much carbon between 2010 and 2017.
- Satellite data helped researchers track this change.
- African forests were once major carbon absorbers, but now they are releasing more carbon.
- This change affects global efforts to meet the Paris Agreement goals.
- The Congo rainforest, Africa’s biggest, is heavily impacted by these changes.
- Deforestation and land use changes are major causes, driven by farming and logging.
- Population growth and export demands put additional pressure on these forests.
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