Trees play a critical role in combating climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide (CO₂), the most common greenhouse gas. Through the process of photosynthesis, trees take in CO₂, store it in their wood, roots, and soil, and release oxygen back into the atmosphere. This makes forests one of the most effective natural tools for reducing atmospheric CO₂ levels.
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• A single mature tree can absorb approximately 48 pounds of CO₂ annually.
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• Globally, forests store about 400 gigatons of carbon in their biomass and soil.
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• The Amazon rainforest alone absorbs an estimated 2 billion tons of CO₂ each year, making it one of the largest carbon sinks on Earth.
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However, when forests are cut down or burned, this stored carbon is released back into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. Deforestation accounts for about 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, highlighting the importance of preserving and restoring forests.

Beyond absorbing CO₂, trees have a powerful cooling effect on the planet. They provide shade, reduce surface temperatures, and release water vapor into the atmosphere through a process called transpiration. Urban trees, for instance, can lower city temperatures by up to 7°C, helping to combat the urban heat island effect.
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Trees are also vital for maintaining biodiversity. Forests are home to about 80 percent of terrestrial species, providing shelter, food, and breeding grounds for countless animals, plants, and microorganisms. Key examples include:
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• Tropical Rainforests: These forests, like the Amazon and Congo Basin, are among the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth, supporting species from jaguars to tree frogs.
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• Mangrove Forests: Mangroves protect coastlines from erosion, store carbon, and serve as nurseries for marine life.
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Healthy forests also stabilize soils, prevent erosion, and filter water, ensuring clean rivers and streams. This benefits not only wildlife but also the billions of people who rely on forests for their livelihoods and survival.

Despite their immense value, forests are disappearing at an alarming rate. An area of forest roughly the size of a football field is lost every second, driven by agriculture, logging, and urban development. Key impacts of deforestation include:
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• Carbon Emissions: When trees are cut down, they release the carbon they’ve stored, contributing to climate change.
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• Biodiversity Loss: The destruction of forests eliminates critical habitats, putting species at risk of extinction.
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• Water Cycle Disruption: Forests regulate local and global rainfall patterns. Their loss can lead to reduced rainfall and desertification.
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Reforestation (replanting trees in deforested areas) and afforestation (planting trees in areas where there were none before) are essential for reversing some of these effects. However, these efforts must be done carefully to avoid replacing biodiverse ecosystems with monoculture plantations, which provide fewer ecological benefits.
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Key Stats on the Power of Trees
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• Protecting and restoring forests could contribute to over one-third of the emissions reductions needed to meet global climate goals.
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• Trees planted as part of urban greening projects improve air quality, reduce noise pollution, and enhance mental well-being.
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• Studies show that deforestation rates in protected areas are up to 70 percent lower than in unprotected regions, underscoring the value of conservation policies.