Scientists Warn of Carbon Sink Crisis as CO2 Absorption Plummets in 2023
- In 2023, natural carbon sinks, including plants and soil, absorbed almost no net CO2, raising alarms among scientists.
- Human carbon emissions reached a record 37.4 billion metric tons, with regions like Australia and Europe facing significant carbon losses due to extreme weather.
- The diminishing capacity of natural ecosystems to absorb CO2 highlights the urgent need for technological solutions to combat climate change.
In 2023, Earth experienced a significant decline in its natural carbon sinks, with plants, trees, and soil absorbing almost no net CO2. This alarming trend raises concerns about the ability of natural ecosystems to mitigate human carbon emissions, which reached a record 37.4 billion metric tons. Climate scientists are increasingly worried that current models do not account for critical factors such as drought-induced mortality and extreme weather events, leading to overly optimistic projections about the future of carbon absorption. Regions like Australia and parts of Europe have already seen substantial losses in soil carbon due to extreme heat and drought, which could hinder their climate targets. The reliance on natural sinks is being questioned, as their capacity to absorb CO2 may diminish in the face of ongoing climate change, highlighting the urgent need for technological solutions to address atmospheric carbon levels.