Foreign media: Wildfire logging turns forests into carbon emissions

A new report released on Wednesday said some of the world's most protected forests were emitting more carbon than they absorbed, as reported by Reuters Bogotá on Oct. 27, due to factors such as logging and wildfires. The researchers warn that these protected areas are exacerbating climate change.

Over the past 20 years, at least 10 Forests listed as World Heritage Sites have become net carbon emitting sites, including Yosemite National Park in the United States, the report said.

Tarles Carvalho Resendi, one of the report's authors and a project official at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, said: "Even some of the most iconic and best-protected forests – such as those listed as World Heritage Sites – are actually exacerbating climate change. This is worrying and provides evidence of how serious this climate emergency is. ”

Because of their ability to function as so-called carbon sinks, forests are considered essential to curb climate change. Trees and other plants absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, and remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.

The study, which analyzed data from 2001 to 2020, concluded that all 257 forests together do indeed act as a net carbon sink. However, human activities such as logging and climate-related events such as wildfires are curbing forests' ability to capture and store more carbon than they emit. Experts say this is a matter of serious concern.

In addition to the United States, forests have been found in countries such as Indonesia, Australia and Russia that have become net carbon emitters.

Researchers at UNESCO and researchers from advocacy organizations such as the World Resources Institute and the World Conservation Union combined satellite data with field monitoring activities and found that during the 20-year period, these World Heritage sites absorbed a net of 190 million tons of carbon dioxide per year.

For centuries, the forest has stored about 13 billion tonnes of carbon, comparable to Kuwait's proven oil reserves, the report said.

The results draw on data published in January by nature and climate change. The journal maps global forest greenhouse gas emissions and uptake.

The researchers used the data, as well as field monitoring activities at World Heritage sites, to understand the factors that put forests at risk, including logging, agricultural invasions, droughts and changing temperatures.

Carlos Sankta, a professor of forestry engineering at the Federal University of Paraná in Brazil, told Reuters: "I would have expected all these forests to be clearing the atmosphere of carbon, not becoming a source of carbon." However, instead of sequestering carbon, they are emitting carbon. ”

He said that, despite the important results produced, the report could have provided a more in-depth look at its research methodology.

While only 10 of the UNESCO-protected forests were found to be carbon emitters, carbon emissions data elsewhere also showed a clear upward trajectory, the report said.

David Kemovits, an official in charge of forest affairs at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, told Reuters: "This is a clearer sign that even forests that we traditionally consider safe are under increasing threat." ”

Source: Reference News Network