Earth's Carbon Sponges Are Faltering, New Analysis Reveals

As global temperatures near the critical 1.5°C threshold, a fresh analysis of Earth's carbon budget has delivered a sobering update. Scientists have revised our understanding of how the planet processes CO₂, revealing that natural land sinks—forests and soils that absorb carbon—are significantly smaller than previously modelled.

Conversely, the research shows that emissions from human land-use changes are higher. The ocean is picking up some of the slack, with its carbon sink now measured to be 15% larger than the land's. However, climate change itself is hampering the efficiency of these natural systems, especially on land. This reduced capacity has contributed over 8 parts per million to atmospheric CO₂ since 1960.

The consequences are stark: the combined pressure of warming and deforestation has already flipped vast tropical forests in Southeast Asia and South America from being carbon sinks to net carbon sources. This research underscores the urgent need for effective climate policy to protect these vital ecosystems.