Ozone, Heat, Drought Weaken Amazon Carbon Sink — SkimNews
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- Amazon rainforest is losing its capacity to absorb carbon dioxide due to combined stressors including ozone pollution from fires, extreme heat, and prolonged drought
- Tropical forests collectively absorb over 11 billion metric tons of human-caused CO2 annually, making their decline a critical climate concern
- Ozone pollution generated by wildfires is identified as a compounding factor that further weakens forest resilience and carbon uptake
- Extreme heat and drought conditions are intensifying physiological stress on trees, reducing photosynthesis and increasing mortality rates
Why it matters: The Amazon and other tropical forests remove more than 25% of global CO2 emissions each year. If degradation continues, this natural buffer could shrink, forcing faster emissions cuts elsewhere to meet climate targets. The research highlights that fire-driven ozone pollution — often overlooked — directly undermines a key planetary carbon sink.
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