Why are forests important for mitigating climate change?

Forests play a crucial role in mitigating climate change due to their ability to absorb and store carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. Trees and plants take in CO2 through the process of photosynthesis and convert it into organic matter in the form of wood and other plant tissues. This process effectively removes CO2, a predominant greenhouse gas, from the atmosphere and helps to reduce the overall concentration of greenhouse gases which are responsible for the Earth’s warming.

Moreover, forests also conserve soil and moisture, which are important for the health of the ecosystem. Healthy forests contribute to the balance of the Earth's water cycles by returning water vapor back into the atmosphere, which can influence local and global climate patterns. Additionally, forests provide habitats for a vast array of biodiversity, supporting wildlife and maintaining ecosystem services that humans rely on.

When forests are destroyed or degraded, not only is their capacity to absorb CO2 diminished, but the carbon stored in trees is often released back into the atmosphere, especially if the forest is cleared using fire. This is why deforestation is a double blow to the climate change mitigation efforts – it increases the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere while simultaneously reducing the planet's ability to absorb and store CO2.

Therefore, preserving existing forests, restoring degraded ones, and sustainably managing forests are critical strategies for climate change mitigation.