Do Rainforests Contribute to Climate Change?

A new study published in Nature reveals that Africa’s forests, which historically acted as a carbon sink, transitioned to a carbon source between 2010 and 2017 due to human activity, particularly logging and agricultural expansion. Researchers found a loss of 106 million tonnes of biomass annually, severely diminishing the forests’ ability to absorb carbon. This shift endangers global climate goals outlined in the Paris Agreement, necessitating urgent protective measures for these vital ecosystems. The report emphasizes that reversing biomass losses requires political, economic, and societal action.