Study Reveals World’s Tropical Forests Are Huge Carbon Emission Source

"Forests globally are so degraded that instead of absorbing emissions they now release more carbon annually than all the traffic in the US, say researchers"

"The world’s tropical forests are so degraded they have become a source rather than a sink of carbon emissions, according to a new study that highlights the urgent need to protect and restore the Amazon and similar regions.

Researchers found that forest areas in South America, Africa and Asia – which have until recently played a key role in absorbing greenhouse gases – are now releasing 425 teragrams of carbon annually, which is more than all the traffic in the United States.

This is a far greater loss than previously thought and carries extra force because the data emerges from the most detailed examination of the topic ever undertaken. The authors say their findings – published in the journal Science on Thursday – should galvanise policymakers to take remedial action."

Jonathan Watts reports for the Guardian September 28, 2017.