Deforestation rapidly releases stored carbon
Deforestation rapidly releases vast amounts of stored carbon into the atmosphere, turning natural carbon sinks into major emitters and significantly accelerating global warming.
When forests are cleared, the carbon stored in trees and soil is quickly released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide, a potent greenhouse gas. Trees naturally absorb CO2, but deforestation, driven by agriculture and development, turns these vital carbon sinks into rapid emitters. This process injects massive quantities of CO2 into the air in days or months, unlike the slow natural carbon cycle. Deforestation accounts for 10-15% of global greenhouse gas emissions annually, significantly worsening climate change. Protecting and restoring forests could sequester up to one-third of the CO2 needed to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.