research / study

yánjiū

研究

to find / to discover

fāxiàn

发现

Africa

Fēizhōu

非洲

forests

sēnlín

森林

since / from

zì

自

the year 2010

2010 nián

2010年

onward / starting from

qǐ

起

from (transitioning from)

yóu

由

carbon sink

tàn huì

碳汇

to transform into / to become

zhuǎnbiàn wéi

转变为

net (as in net emissions)

jìng

净

carbon emissions source

tàn páifàng yuán

碳排放源

。

New Words

News in English

Study Finds Africa Forests Have Switched From Carbon Absorbers to Net Emitters Since 2010

A new study has found that Africa forests reversed course after 2010, switching from carbon absorbers to net carbon emitters due to heavy deforestation in tropical regions. The reversal poses a serious challenge to global climate goals.

A groundbreaking study has revealed alarming findings about Africa's role in global climate dynamics. Researchers discovered that African forests have undergone a dramatic transformation since 2010, shifting from functioning as carbon sinks that absorbed atmospheric carbon dioxide to becoming net carbon emission sources.

Large-scale deforestation in tropical regions has emerged as the primary driver of this reversal. For decades, African forests had continuously absorbed vast quantities of carbon dioxide, playing a crucial role in global climate regulation. However, as human activities have intensified, the forests' carbon-sequestering capacity has rapidly weakened.

Scientists warn that this transformation will accelerate global climate warming and make existing climate targets increasingly difficult to achieve. The research findings have sparked widespread international attention regarding forest conservation commitments and the need for renewed efforts to protect these vital ecosystems.

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