Research just published in the Royal Society journal 'Philosophical Transactions A' suggests that chopping down forests could accelerate global warming more than was thought, and that protecting existing trees could be one of the best ways to tackle the problem. The report shows how the release of the chemical terpene from tree canopies leads to cloud formation that cools the climate. The research demonstrates that the sheer size of intact forest canopies has a critical role in maintaining an operable atmosphere for all species.
Additional recent scientific findings show that old-growth forests continue to remove atmospheric carbon indefinitely, and primary forests lose much of their carbon permanently when first logged. The findings show that short term greed is the only justification for the destruction of forests.
Most ecologists have know for years that loss of intact forest habitats is the key cause of climate change, as well as general biodiversity, ecosystem and biosphere collapse. We know that bringing an end to mankind's 'cutting and burning' activities in the pursuit of profits is the key to the survival of our planet. In particular, global ecological sustainability will require giving up timbers cut from ancient forests, and restoring remnant old-growth forests throughout the world. Friends of Bass Valley Bush...
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old growth forest, research
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