Photo credit: www.conservation.org
New research conducted by Conservation International highlights critical ecosystems globally that must be safeguarded to combat the looming climate crisis. The study focuses on the global carbon stores held in forests, grasslands, and wetlands, quantifying how much carbon is stored within these environments, the timeframe for restoration if these stocks are lost, and the potential implications for humanity.
The findings reveal a strategic approach for preserving Earth’s carbon reservoirs. The scientists pinpointed locations of “irrecoverable carbon,” which refers to substantial carbon reserves that could be released through human activities and, if lost, would be impossible to restore by 2050. This year is significant as it marks a target for achieving net-zero emissions to mitigate severe climate impacts.
Identifying Critical Carbon Reserves
These ecosystems span six continents, including prominent areas such as the Amazon rainforest, the Congo Basin, Indonesia, and parts of North America, South America, Australia, and New Zealand. Collectively, they house over 260 billion tons of irrecoverable carbon—equivalent to 26 years of current fossil fuel emissions.
According to Allie Goldstein, a climate scientist at Conservation International and the lead author of the study, “This represents a generation’s worth of carbon stored in vital ecosystems. The encouraging aspect is that we now have a clear understanding of where these carbon reserves exist, and we can take steps to protect them.”
The scientists emphasize that while carbon flows through ecosystems, human activities are increasingly leading to higher carbon emissions due to extensive deforestation. Will Turner, another co-author, adds, “While we understand that fossil fuel combustion releases significant emissions, the destruction of certain ecosystems also contributes drastically to carbon loss. This underscores the urgency of prioritizing the protection of these environments this decade.”
Understanding the ‘Irrecoverable’ Designation
The study defines “irrecoverable carbon” based on three criteria: the extent of human influence on carbon stocks, the potential carbon release upon ecosystem disturbance, and the recovery timeline for lost carbon stocks.
The researchers highlight that while some ecosystems, such as tundra, face inevitable carbon release due to climate change, others can be actively protected from human-caused degradation, particularly through deforestation prevention.
Alarmingly, tropical deforestation driven by agriculture and logging has intensified. Since 2018, deforestation in the Amazon has risen by 85%, and mangrove areas lost over 100,000 hectares between 2000 and 2012, primarily for oil palm plantations.
Time to Act is Now
Goldstein remains optimistic, stating that opportunities still exist to preserve these essential ecosystems. “Currently, the carbon stored in many ecosystems is still manageable. Our land-use decisions matter. If temperatures rise beyond 2 degrees Celsius, these ecosystems may become unmanageable,” she warns.
Turner cites Borneo’s drastic change from thriving peatlands and forests to significant deforestation as an example of how quickly ecosystems can shift into vulnerable statuses. He advocates for preemptive measures to protect these habitats, not just reactive responses to ongoing destruction.
Preserving Nature Means Safeguarding Carbon
If we were to lose a significant fraction of irrecoverable carbon, the consequences would push us beyond our carbon budget aimed at keeping global temperature rises below 1.5 degrees Celsius—the threshold identified by scientists to avert the worst climate impacts. However, there is hope; Bronson Griscom, who leads efforts on natural climate solutions at Conservation International, emphasizes the need for two approaches: reducing carbon emissions and increasing carbon capture from the atmosphere.
The study calls for creating networks of protected areas that prioritize these vital ecosystems, benefiting not just climate stability but also supporting essential services like flood control, water purification, and biodiversity.
Mapping the Future
With this research identifying critical ecosystems holding irrecoverable carbon, scientists are working on an initiative to create a global map pinpointing these locations. Goldstein describes this as providing a “treasure map” of essential areas that must be preserved to avert climate disasters.
This map will delineate existing protected regions as well as unprotected areas with high carbon reserves, guiding strategic conservation funding and efforts. Conservation International aims to protect millions of hectares of these vital ecosystems.
To effectively address climate change, a unified commitment from various sectors is essential. Johan Rockström, chief scientist at Conservation International, states, “The ultimate success in meeting the Paris Climate Agreement targets hinges not only on moving away from fossil fuels but also on maintaining the carbon sinks present in nature. This research lays the groundwork for understanding where our future resides.”
Source
www.conservation.org