<
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jul/14/amazon-rainforest-now-emitting-more-co2-than-it-absorbs>
"The Amazon rainforest is now emitting more carbon dioxide than it is able to
absorb, scientists have confirmed for the first time.
The emissions amount to a billion tonnes of carbon dioxide a year, according to
a study. The giant forest had previously been a carbon sink, absorbing the
emissions driving the climate crisis, but is now causing its acceleration,
researchers said.
Most of the emissions are caused by fires, many deliberately set to clear land
for beef and soy production. But even without fires, hotter temperatures and
droughts mean the south-eastern Amazon has become a source of CO2, rather than
a sink.
Growing trees and plants have taken up about a quarter of all fossil fuel
emissions since 1960, with the Amazon playing a major role as the largest
tropical forest. Losing the Amazon’s power to capture CO2 is a stark warning
that slashing emissions from fossil fuels is more urgent than ever, scientists
said."
Via Doug Senko.
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
