Decline of Carbon Sinks: Impacts on Climate Change 2023

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Context:

The study titled Low latency carbon budget analysis reveals a large decline of the land carbon sink in 2023.

About Carbon Sink

A carbon sink is a natural or artificial reservoir that absorbs and stores the atmosphere's carbon with physical and biological mechanisms. Coal, oil, natural gases, methane hydrate and limestone are all examples of carbon sinks.

According to research conducted by NASA, in 1959, natural carbon sinks removed about 60% of the CO2 produced by human activities. Today, this number has dropped to around 55%.

Need for Carbon Sink

These sinks form an important part of the natural carbon cycle. An overarching term is carbon pool, which is all the places where carbon on Earth can be, i.e. the atmosphere, oceans, soil, florae, fossil fuel reservoirs and so forth.
A carbon sink is a type of carbon pool that has the capability to take up more carbon from the atmosphere than it releases.
Carbon sinks are essential in maintaining the balance of the carbon cycle and regulating the Earth’s climate.
They help offset the billions of tons of CO2 emitted by human activities each year, preventing drastic increases in global temperatures.

However, human activities such as deforestation, land-use changes, and pollution are damaging these natural carbon sinks, reducing their capacity to absorb CO2 and potentially turning them into carbon sources.

Types of Carbon Sink

Natural carbon sinks

Artificial carbon sinks

Forests: Trees and plants absorb CO2 during photosynthesis, storing carbon in their biomass (trunks, branches, leaves, and roots) and soil.
- - Forests are some of the largest and most efficient carbon sinks, playing a vital role in the global carbon cycle.
Oceans: The world’s oceans absorb CO2 from the atmosphere through physical and biological processes.
- - Phytoplankton in surface waters use CO2 for photosynthesis, while physical processes like the dissolution of CO2 in seawater also play a significant role.
Soil: Soils store carbon from decaying plant and animal matter, with microorganisms and soil fauna contributing to the sequestration process.

Landfill sites: Although primarily known for waste disposal, modern landfill sites can act as carbon sinks by trapping organic waste that decomposes anaerobically, producing methane that can be captured and used as an energy source.
Carbon capture and storage (CCS): This technology involves capturing CO2 emissions from industrial sources or the atmosphere and storing it underground in geological formations.
- - Significance: CCS will play an important role in reducing industrial carbon footprints and mitigating climate change, however, much of the technology is still in development or struggles to get sufficient funding to scale up.

Case Study

The Amazon, the world's largest tropical forest, is often described as the Earth's lungs due to its significant role in absorbing CO2. Unfortunately, deforestation for agricultural land and logging is severely impairing the Amazon's ability to function as a carbon sink. Researchers warn that the damage could be so severe that the Amazon might become a carbon source as early as the next decade, exacerbating global warming.

About Carbon Cycle

The carbon cycle is nature's way of reusing carbon atoms, which travel from the atmosphere into organisms in the Earth and then back into the atmosphere over and over again. Most carbon is stored in rocks and sediments, while the rest is stored in the ocean, atmosphere, and living organisms.

How does the carbon cycle work?

Carbon is fundamental to life on Earth. As the backbone of organic molecules, carbon atoms are integral to our bodies, our food, and our environment. It is the fourth most abundant element in the universe.

On Earth, carbon atoms cycle continuously through a closed system, meaning no carbon is lost to or gained from space. This perpetual movement of carbon atoms within Earth's atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere is known as the carbon cycle.

The carbon cycle involves the continuous movement of carbon within Earth's systems. Understanding how carbon moves through these different reservoirs is essential for comprehending its role in climate regulation and life on Earth.

Carbon Reservoir	Description
Atmospheric carbon	Carbon exists in the atmosphere primarily as carbon dioxide (CO2). Plants absorb CO2 through photosynthesis, converting it into organic matter and releasing oxygen, which is essential for life and forms the basis of the food web.
Carbon in the biosphere	Plants, animals, and microorganisms contain carbon. When plants and animals die, their organic matter decomposes, returning carbon to the soil. Microorganisms break down this matter, releasing CO2 back into the atmosphere.
Carbon in the oceans	Oceans act as major carbon sinks, absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere. Marine organisms like phytoplankton use CO2 for photosynthesis. Carbon is also stored in ocean depths, both in dissolved form and as part of marine sediments.
Geological carbon	Over millions of years, carbon is stored in fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas, which are formed from ancient plant and animal matter. Carbon is released through volcanic eruptions and the weathering of rocks.
Human impact	Activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation release large amounts of CO2, disrupting the carbon cycle. This excess CO2 in the atmosphere contributes to global warming and climate change.

Consequences of rising CO2 levels

Global warming: Increased atmospheric CO2 levels enhance the greenhouse effect, leading to higher global temperatures.
Extreme weather events: Rising temperatures contribute to more frequent and severe weather events, such as hurricanes, droughts, and floods.
Disruption of weather patterns: Climate change alters global weather patterns, impacting ecosystems and biodiversity.
Threat to life: The effects of climate change pose significant risks to the survival of various species, including humans, by disrupting food and water supplies and increasing the frequency of natural disasters.

Way Forward

The Earth's forests absorb as much as 2.6 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide each year, but they are increasingly threatened by human activities.

Sustainable forestry practices: Implementing sustainable forestry practices involves managing forest resources in ways that maintain their biodiversity, productivity, and ecological processes.
Reforestation and afforestation: Reforestation involves planting trees in deforested areas, while afforestation entails planting trees in regions that were not previously forested. Both practices help restore carbon-absorbing vegetation and improve biodiversity.
Transition to renewable energy: Shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydropower can significantly reduce carbon emissions and help stabilize global temperatures.
Energy efficiency: Improving energy efficiency in buildings, transportation, and industry can reduce the overall demand for energy and lower emissions.

Conclusion

Carbon sinks are a vital part of the carbon cycle and are crucial when it comes to preventing further rises in our global average temperature and the rapid deterioration of our climate.

However, today's carbon sinks may become tomorrow's carbon sources if we don't do more to protect these vital systems. Governments, companies, and individuals across the world must take action to reduce our reliance on harmful fossil fuels and transition to a more sustainable way of existence - one that protects our natural carbon sinks and respects the Earth's natural processes.

Reference: https://greenly.earth/en-us/blog/company-guide/what-is-a-carbon-sink

https://www.noaa.gov/what-is-carbon-cycle-1-minute#:~:text=The%20carbon%20cycle%20is%20nature's%20way%20of%20reusing%20carbon%20atoms,%2C%20atmosphere%2C%20and%20living%20organisms.

READ ABOUT-

Land sinks

India's Carbon Sink Target

Carbon Sequestration

Source:

DowntoEarth

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Critically analyze the role of forests as carbon sinks in mitigating climate change. Discuss the challenges faced in conserving and expanding forest cover in India. (150 words)