Carbon sink broken? Last year, trees and land barely absorbed any CO2
- October 31, 2024
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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Carbon sink broken? Last year, trees and land barely absorbed any CO2
Sub : Env
Sec: Climate change
Context:
- A recent study shows that critical natural processes that help cool the Earth are weakening. In 2023, trees and land absorbed almost no carbon dioxide (CO₂).
- The absorption of CO₂ by trees and zooplankton feeding on algae (which removes millions of tonnes of CO₂ annually) are key cooling processes.
Key Findings of the Study:
- The study, titled Low latency carbon budget analysis reveals a large decline of the land carbon sink in 2023, reported a CO₂ growth rate of 3.37 ± 0.11 PPM at Mauna Loa, Hawaii, an 86% increase from the previous year.
- This growth rate is the highest recorded since measurements began in 1958, indicating a significant weakening of land and ocean CO₂ sinks.
Wildfires and Land Sink Collapse:
- The study noted that global CO₂ emissions rose only 0.6 ± 0.5% in 2023.
- The 2023 northern hemisphere wildfires are believed to have played a role in the land sink’s sharp decline.
Long-term Implications:
- Although current data suggests an unprecedented weakening, researchers advise caution in concluding that this collapse will continue regularly.