The scorching heat we experience, forest fires ravaging countries, and the invisible carbon dioxide filling the air seriously affect our planet. In 2023, the world experienced extreme temperatures that caused massive forest fires and caused severe droughts around the world. Moreover, these adverse conditions have significantly weakened the earth’s ability to absorb atmospheric carbon. Conclusion? A noticeable increase in the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere raises concerns that climate change will accelerate.
Heat and atmospheric carbon
Data from Hawaii’s Mauna Loa Observatory showed that atmospheric carbon concentration increased by an alarming 86% in 2023 compared to 2012. This increase sets a new record since these levels began to be monitored in 1958.
Interestingly, the increase in carbon dioxide levels cannot be attributed solely to fossil fuel emissions. They appear to have increased by only 0.6 percent. So what is the main culprit behind the increase in emissions? This is probably due to the weakening of carbon absorption by natural ecosystems.
Attenuated carbon absorber
An international group of scientists, supported by the ESA Science for Society Near Real-Time Carbon Extremes project in conjunction with the Climate Change Initiative RECCAP-2 project, decided to investigate the main causes of this phenomenon.
Experts used global vegetation models and satellite data to accelerate the 2023 carbon budget report. The Earth generally absorbs about one-third of man-made carbon dioxide emissions. But by 2023, this absorptive capacity had fallen to only one-fifth of its normal level; This marked the lowest rate of terrestrial carbon sequestration in two decades.
Extreme temperature and ability to accumulate carbon
“Our research shows that 30 percent of this decline is due to extreme heat in 2023, which caused large-scale wildfires that devastated large areas of Canadian forests and caused severe drought in parts of the Amazon rainforest,” said Philippe Saillet. Scientist from France. Climate and Environmental Sciences Laboratory.
“These fires and droughts led to significant vegetation loss, weakening the terrestrial ecosystem’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide. “This situation has been exacerbated by a particularly strong El Niño, which has historically reduced the tropics’ capacity to absorb carbon.”
The situation was exacerbated by a particularly strong El Niño, which has historically reduced the tropics’ capacity to absorb carbon.
Carbon released by forest fires
Widespread wildfires in Canada and droughts in the Amazon have released nearly as much carbon into the atmosphere in 2023 as North America’s total fossil fuel emissions. This discovery highlights the serious impact of climate change on natural ecosystems. The Amazon rainforest, one of the planet’s most important carbon sinks, shows signs of ongoing distress. Some parts of the Amazon that no longer absorb carbon have become net sources of carbon emissions.
Earth’s ability to absorb carbon is decreasing
The reduced capacity of the Earth’s terrestrial ecosystems to absorb carbon dioxide could mean that these natural carbon sinks are approaching their limits. They will not be able to continue providing mitigation services to absorb half of human-caused carbon dioxide emissions.
“Achieving safe limits on global warming will therefore require more ambitious emissions reductions than previously thought,” adds Siais.
Protecting the world’s carbon cycle
The study also highlights that current climate models may underestimate the rate and impact of extreme events such as droughts and fires on the degradation of these important carbon sinks.
Stephen Plummer, from ESA’s Earth Observation Applications Programme, said: “Understanding the direct impacts of climate change on the carbon cycle is imperative, and two ESA research projects demonstrate the importance of Earth observation in developing methodologies that will enable rapid assessment of these impacts worldwide.” a scientist
“These results are particularly worrying, especially given the challenges the world faces in limiting warming to 1.5°C as set out in the Paris Agreement,” said Clement Alberghel, ESA Deputy Director of Current Climate Information.
Given these worrying findings, it is vital that we ask ourselves: How can we contribute to mitigating these consequences? Can we consume less, recycle more and look for greener alternatives in our daily lives? The need for climate action could not be more urgent. The study was published in the journal National Science Review.
Source: Port Altele
