If some climate scientists are to be believed, planting forests in the far north may increase global warming. Growing forests do lock up carbon dioxide, but during winter they soak up solar energy that would otherwise have reflected by the snow-covered tundra. "It's a paradox. With northern forests, the reduction in carbon dioxide has less of an effect than the lack of snow-covered tundra, which leads to warming," says Martin Claussen of Germany's Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. At a recent meeting of the European Geophysical Society, some British and German climate scientists eparately confirmed that heat absorption prevails ( New Scientist , Vol 166, No 2238).
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.