Research confirms deforestation role in climate change

New research confirms that avoiding deforestation can play a key role in reducing future greenhouse gas concentrations.

Dr Pep Canadell from the Global Carbon Project and CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research says that tropical deforestation releases 1.5 billion tonnes of carbon each year into the atmosphere.

"Deforestation in the tropics accounts for nearly 20% of carbon emissions due to human activities," Dr Canadell says. "This will release an estimated 87 to 130 billion tonnes of carbon by 2100, which is greater than the amount of carbon that would be released by 13 years of global fossil fuel combustion.

Dr Canadell joined an international team of experts from the US, UK, Brazil and France to compare data from 11 climate carbon computer models. The results show that tropical forests will continue to accumulate carbon through to the end of the century, although they may become less efficient at higher temperatures.

"The new body of information shows considerable value in preserving tropical forests such as those in the Amazon and Indonesia. As carbon sinks, they do not release the carbon back into the atmosphere as has been suggested," Dr Canadell says.

"It also demonstrates the need to avoid higher levels of global warming, which could slow the ability of forests to accumulate carbon."

Reducing deforestation is just one of a portfolio of mitigation options needed to reduce concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

"Globally, we need a range of actions to reduce the build-up of carbon in the atmosphere," Dr Canadell says. "This study ensures we have a sound scientific basis behind the consideration of deforestation reduction."