How does deforestation increase warming of the earth?

Answer 1

Deforestation contributes to the increase in warming of the Earth mainly through two key mechanisms: the release of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and the loss of forest's ability to absorb CO2.

1. Carbon Dioxide Emissions: Trees absorb CO2 from the atmosphere as part of photosynthesis, which is the process they use to convert sunlight into energy. When forests are cut down or burned, this stored carbon is released back into the atmosphere in the form of CO2 through the process of combustion or decomposition. It is estimated that deforestation accounts for approximately 15% of global CO2 emissions, which contributes to the greenhouse effect and subsequently leads to the warming of the Earth.

2. Reduced Carbon Sequestration: Forests act as carbon sinks, which means they absorb more CO2 from the atmosphere than they release. Trees store carbon in their trunks, branches, leaves, and roots. Therefore, deforestation not only releases the stored carbon but also eliminates the future capacity of these trees to remove CO2 from the atmosphere. This reduction in the Earth's natural capacity to absorb CO2 exacerbates the greenhouse effect, leading to higher concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere and further warming of the planet.

Additionally, deforestation can impact local climate patterns, alter rainfall patterns, disrupt ecosystems, and influence weather cycles. These changes can have indirect impacts on regional and global climate systems, further contributing to the overall warming of the Earth.