### World’s forests and seas ‘struggling to absorb carbon’, scientists warn
Scientists have issued a warning that the world’s forests, lands, and seas are facing challenges in absorbing sufficient carbon to combat climate change effectively. Natural processes that typically turn soils, trees, and plants into “carbon sinks” by absorbing greenhouse gases are believed to be deteriorating. Alarming data from last year indicated a significant decline in the amount of carbon dioxide being absorbed into the land, with global forests, plants, and soils absorbing minimal carbon. Additionally, the accelerated melting of Greenland’s glaciers and the Arctic ice sheet is disrupting ocean currents and their capacity to absorb carbon, leading to an “unprecedented weakening” of the world’s carbon sinks. This unexpected development is not currently factored into climate models and could propel global warming into uncharted territories.
Johan Rockström, the director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, highlighted the vulnerabilities in Earth’s systems, stressing the diminishing capacity of terrestrial ecosystems to store and absorb carbon. The oceans are also exhibiting signs of instability, indicating that nature’s ability to offset human-induced carbon emissions is reaching its limits. Without the critical support of nature to absorb significant amounts of carbon through forests, grasslands, peat bogs, and oceans, achieving global net zero emissions would face significant challenges.
Experts emphasise the importance of initiatives such as tree-planting and peatland restoration, integral to Scotland’s climate strategy, in contributing towards carbon absorption efforts. The failure of land to absorb carbon in the previous year is attributed to extreme weather conditions, such as record-breaking temperatures and increased incidences of wildfires and droughts. While there is hope that this decline may be temporary, scientists remain deeply concerned about the implications.
Prof Andrew Watson from Exeter University underscored the consensus among models indicating a decrease in the land and ocean carbon sinks due to climate change. However, there are uncertainties about the pace at which this decline will occur, with potential consequences that may manifest sooner than previously anticipated. Climate scientists are troubled not by what the models include, but by the essential factors that they may overlook. The unpredictability of natural sinks raises critical questions about their resilience in the face of changing climate conditions.
The urgency to address these concerns is underscored by the evolving climate crisis, necessitating a reevaluation of strategies to mitigate carbon emissions and sustain natural carbon sinks. The intricate interplay between human activities and the environment highlights the pressing need for collaborative efforts to restore and preserve the Earth’s crucial ecosystems to safeguard against the detrimental impacts of climate change.
As the world grapples with the challenges posed by diminishing carbon sinks, vigilance and decisive action are paramount in addressing the climate emergency and ensuring the long-term sustainability of our planet.
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By Dan Vevers | Published on 14 OCT 2024 | Source: Daily Record