by karmactive staff
Photo Source- Google
A new satellite-based study reveals that the Amazon holds 56.8 billion metric tons of aboveground carbon as of 2022.
With 57% of this carbon stored in Brazil alone, the Amazon remains Earth’s most critical carbon sink, though just barely.
The southwest Amazon, particularly in southern Peru and western Brazil, shows peak carbon levels, raising questions about its future.
Over the past decade, the Amazon has seen a net increase of 64.7 million metric tons of carbon, but is it enough to counteract deforestation?
Data from NASA’s GEDI mission and Planet’s Forest Carbon Diligence Project offers new insights into Amazon’s carbon reserves.
Experts warn that while the Amazon remains a carbon sink, it’s teetering on the edge of becoming a carbon source if action isn’t taken.
The study also points to climate change and extreme weather as significant threats to the Amazon’s ability to absorb carbon.
Despite deforestation destroying 20% of the Amazon, the basin’s core areas still show positive carbon absorption rates.
The Amazon’s total carbon storage could soon hit 71.5 billion metric tons, nearly equivalent to two years of global carbon dioxide emissions.
Amazon Deforestation Plummets 45.7%: Historic Low in 2024 Under Brazil's Zero Deforestation Agenda