Nature-based carbon removal can help protect us from a warming planet

A new study shows that temporary nature-based carbon removal can lower global peak warming levels, but only if ambitious fossil fuel emission reductions are also included.

Nature-based climate solutions aim to preserve and enhance carbon storage in the environment, but the risk is that carbon could be lost back to the atmosphere as a result of wildfires.

The global climate model was used by the researchers to model temperature change. In the weak emissions reduction scenario, carbon emissions continue through the end of the century. Carbon emissions will be net-zero by the year 2050.

The world will need to reach net-zero CO 2 emissions by mid-century in order to meet the Paris Agreement's climate goals.

It is assumed that carbon storage through nature-based climate solutions is temporary as forests are vulnerable to both natural and human disturbances. Nature-based climate solutions are expected to slowly release carbon from the atmosphere over the next 30 years.

In a scenario where carbon emissions decrease rapidly to net-zero, temporary nature-based carbon storage can decrease the level of peak warming. In a scenario with continued carbon emissions nature-based carbon storage would only be used to delay the temperature increase.

The study shows that nature-based carbon storage can have climate benefits, but only if implemented alongside a rapid transition to zero fossil-fuel emissions.

The findings are published in a journal.

Zickfeld is the lead author of the Sixth Assessment Report and the special report on the global warming of 1.5 degrees.

The researchers note that protecting and restoring nature offers social and environmental benefits for local and Indigenous communities. Efforts to improve water, air, and biodiversity can help build community resilience to climate change.

More information: H. Damon Matthews et al, Temporary nature-based carbon removal can lower peak warming in a well-below 2 °C scenario, Communications Earth & Environment (2022). DOI: 10.1038/s43247-022-00391-z Journal information: Communications Earth & Environment Citation: Nature-based carbon removal can help protect us from a warming planet (2022, March 29) retrieved 29 March 2022 from https://phys.org/news/2022-03-nature-based-carbon-planet.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.