Tropical rainforests may be warming planet instead of fighting climate change: Study

NEW DELHI: Important for fighting climate change, tropical rainforests could instead be contributing to the planet’s warming by releasing vast amounts of carbon dioxide, potentially accelerating a feedback loop, according to a new study.

Considered critical in the world’s fight against climate change, tropical rainforests are equipped with natural systems to absorb excess carbon and cool the planet.

However, a continued warming of the planet is causing soils of these forests to release enormous amounts of carbon dioxide, essentially flipping the script, researchers including those from the US’ Chapman University said.

Source: PTI News

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