Tropical forests used to protect us from climate change. A new study says now making it worse.

Washington Post ^ | September 8, 2017 | by Chris Mooney

[Oldeconomybuyer]

A surprising scientific study released Thursday presents troubling news about the enormous forests of the planet’s tropical midsection — suggesting that they are releasing hundreds of millions of tons of carbon to the atmosphere, rather than storing it in the trunks of trees and other vegetation.

The results contradict prior work in suggesting that these forests — including the Amazon rain forest - have become another net addition to the climate change problem. However, the accounting also implies that if the current losses could be reversed, the forests could also rapidly transform into a powerful climate change solution.

“The losses due to deforestation and degradation are actually emitting more CO2 to the atmosphere, compared with how much the existing forest is able to absorb,” said Alessandro Baccini, the lead author of the study and a researcher at the Woods Hole Research Center.

That result was definitely puzzling to Guido van der Wank, a scientist at VU Amsterdam who studies global forest fires and forest changes using satellite and other techniques.

“If you consider that they have not taken emissions from degradation of tropical peatlands — as is happening in Indonesia and is a considerable source — into account the pictures becomes even more out of tune with our current understanding,” he said by email. “The authors provide a discussion of potential reasons behind the discrepancy but, if correct, the work certainly challenges the way we account for the global flows of carbon between various reservoirs and places on earth.”

[Oldeconomybuyer]

[Seruzawa]

“Study” is now defined as “propaganda”.

[SpaceBar]

Jeff Bezos’s head should be photoshopped on that graphic.

[hadaclueonce]

It is always humans.

So says those selling carbon credits.

Always follow the money.

thank you.

[moovova]

So, trees aren’t our friends?

OMG.

[SoConPubbie]

Quick, CUT THEM ALL DOWN!!!!

[Morpheus2009]

It matters not what the study says, I keep trees near my house and neighborhood.

[Army Air Corps]

Ping.

[RightGeek]

Gosh, I thought the science was settled!

[arthurus]

Considering that we are more likely in the beginning of a new Dalton or Maunder Minimum, we need all the CO2 we can get in the atmosphere. General cooling will restrict agriculture and reduce the amount of food. There will be n on-political famines once again. Artificially reducing the carbon content of the atmosphere will make the famine worse. I guess the Left would get their population reduction and food prices would rise.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

I know! I know!

Let’s kill all the people except George Soros and his friends and their servants so they can live in the Walden paradise they deserve!

[ShadowAce]

This makes sense.

Plant life requires CO₂ to grow. If there isn't enough, then other plants may emit more in order to facilitate growth.

[Attention Surplus Disorder]

“Guido van der Wank”

NOT a cartoon character.

[BitWielder1]

I thought it was well known that trees breathe, i.e. absorb carbon during the day and emits part of it at night, and decaying plant matter emits CO₂ and CH₄, because bacteria too have metabolism.
This is not news and certainly not cause for alarm.

[abclily]

Plants absorb CO2 and emit oxygen. Now some plants will decide to emit CO2? What? Run that by me again!

[dfwgator]

Doo-doo-doo, da-da-do-do-wow!
There’s a place called the rainforest that truly sucks ass
Let’s knock it all down and get rid of it fast
You say ‘save the rainforest’, but what do you know?
You’ve never been to the rainforest before!
Getting Gay with Kids is here
To tell you things you might not like to hear
You only fight these causes ‘cos caring sells
All you activists can go ____ yourselves.

Someday if we work hard boys and girls..
There’ll be no more rainforests left in the entire world..
Getting Gay with Kids is here
To spread the word, and bring you cheer
Getting Gay with Kids is here
Lets knock down the rainforest, whaddaya say?
Its totally gay, it’s totally gay

[Leep]

There is a suspicious tree looking through my kitchen window as I type!

[Balding_Eagle]

They are releasing hundreds of millions of tons of carbon to the atmosphere, rather than storing it in the trunks of trees and other vegetation

President Reagan said the same thing 35 years ago.

[roadcat]

I thought it was well known that trees breathe, i.e. absorb carbon during the day and emits part of it at night, and decaying plant matter emits CO2 and CH4, because bacteria too have metabolism.

Liberal greenies always think in black and white, not shades of gray with nuance. You can artificially reduce CO2 emissions by people, but neglect the bacteria which is everywhere and continually emitting CO2 far in excess of what humans can release. These liberals don't have compost piles? Bacteria is necessary for plants (and humans) to exist.

[WKUHilltopper]

I thought trees emitted evil, poison carbon. Shouldn’t all trees be chopped down?