Nature has always been a silent yet powerful ally in the fight against climate change, sequestering a significant portion of the carbon we release into the atmosphere. However, this vital role is increasingly under threat. Let's take a closer look at how forests, oceans, and other natural systems have been supporting us, and why they need our protection more than ever.
How Nature’s Carbon Sinks Keep the Climate Balance
Over the past decade, nature has played a vital role in mitigating climate change by absorbing approximately 54% of the carbon we've released into the atmosphere. Forests are the largest contributors, absorbing roughly 31% of the CO2. Oceans also play a significant role, taking on 23% of the emissions. Without these natural carbon sinks, the impacts of climate change would be much more severe.
Forests, often referred to as the “lungs of the Earth,” help combat climate change by removing CO₂ from the air through the process of photosynthesis. In doing so, they store carbon in their trees and soil, acting as vital carbon reservoirs. Oceans also serve as massive carbon storage systems, where they lock away vast amounts of CO₂ beneath the surface, playing an equally important role in regulating our planet's climate.
What’s Happening to Our Planet?
Unfortunately, the natural systems we rely on to absorb carbon are increasingly under threat due to human activities. Here's how things are changing:
Forests are shrinking
Since 1990, we've lost 420 million hectares of forests, an area larger than the entire continent of Europe. This means millions of trees, once absorbing carbon from the atmosphere, are no longer available to help regulate CO₂ levels. Deforestation is one of the most direct threats to our ability to combat climate change.
Oceans are warming
Marine heatwaves have doubled in frequency since the early 2000s, and by 2021, nearly 60% of the ocean's surface had experienced at least one. Warmer oceans are less capable of absorbing and storing carbon, which not only affects ocean health but also contributes to further carbon emissions. This feedback loop makes it harder for oceans to serve their critical role as carbon sinks.
Shifting carbon dynamics
There is growing concern among scientists that natural systems, such as forests and oceans, could reach a tipping point in the coming decades, where they stop absorbing carbon and instead start releasing it. If this happens, the impact on global warming could be catastrophic.
Why Are These Changes Happening?
The primary driver of these alarming changes is human activity. Our dependence on fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, has led to the release of over 1.5 trillion tons of CO₂ since the Industrial Revolution, significantly contributing to global warming. In addition, land clearing for agriculture, urban development, and industrial expansion has resulted in the destruction of approximately 420 million hectares of forests since 1990, an area larger than the entire continent of North America.
Fossil fuel emissions remain the largest source of carbon pollution, while habitat destruction directly undermines the role of ecosystems like forests, mangroves, and wetlands, which have traditionally helped mitigate climate change.
Nature Is Still Absorbing Carbon, But…
Significant removals of natural ecosystems have caused the amount of carbon absorbed to nearly equal the emissions.
Despite the challenges, nature continues to absorb significant amounts of carbon. For example, mangroves are able to store up to four times more carbon than forests on land. These unique ecosystems, however, are disappearing at an alarming rate due to deforestation, pollution, and climate change. Protecting and restoring these ecosystems is essential to maintaining the Earth's natural ability to combat global warming.
What can we do to support nature’s fight against climate change? We need to actively participate in conservation efforts, reduce our own carbon emissions by adopting more sustainable lifestyles, and advocate for policies that protect the environment.
Join Us in Protecting Nature
Everyone has a role to play in ensuring that nature continues to help us tackle climate change. At CarbonEthics, we work alongside individuals, businesses, and communities, driving impactful natural climate solutions to meet your decarbonization goals. Through our comprehensive programs, we focus on restoring vital ecosystems and enhancing the livelihoods of local communities. Together, we can create sustainable solutions that help mitigate climate change and protect biodiversity for generations to come.
Visit carbonethics.co/partnerships to explore how your organization can get involved and make a measurable impact.
Source:
WWF. (2022). Uncovering Nature's Role in Climate Action. Retrieved from https://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?6878466/Uncovering-Nature-Climate-Action
World Economic Forum. (2023). Carbon sinks fight climate crisis. Retrieved from https://www.weforum.org/stories/2023/07/carbon-sinks-fight-climate-crisis/
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). (2020). https://www.fao.org/state-of-forests/en/
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2021). Consequences of Climate Change, Marine Heatwaves Pose Enduring Threats Both at Sea and on Land. Retrieved from https://ocean-climate.org/en/consequences-of-climate-change-marine-heatwaves-pose-enduring-threats-both-at-sea-and-on-land/
Tern. (2023, December 5). Ecosystem tipping points: Carbon sink to source within 30 years. Retrieved from https://www.tern.org.au/ecosystem-tipping-points-carbon-sink-to-source-within-30-years/
International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). (2024). Deforestation and Wildlife: Causes and Effects. Retrieved from https://www.ifaw.org/international/journal/what-is-deforestation-impact-wildlife
Visual Capitalist. (2021). Visualizing Changes in CO₂ Emissions Since 1900. Retrieved from https://www.visualcapitalist.com/visualizing-changes-in-co2-emissions-since-1900/missions
Global Carbon Project (GCP). (2023). Global Carbon Budget 2023. Retrieved from https://www.globalcarbonproject.org/carbonbudget/22/highlights.htm
Conservation International. Is Nature Failing to Curb Climate Change? Not Quite. Retrieved from https://www.conservation.org/blog/is-nature-failing-to-curb-climate-change-not-quite
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