why might cutting down trees increase global warming
tree soak up carbon dioxide and removing them causes more carbon to stay int eh atmosphere
trees absorbs the sun energy without radiating back into the atmosphere
trees provide shade which contracts global warming
Removing trees can increase global warming for several reasons:
1. Loss of carbon storage: Trees absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere through photosynthesis and store it in their biomass. When trees are cut down, this carbon storage is lost, and the carbon that was previously stored in the trees is released back into the atmosphere as CO2 when the trees decay or are burned. This additional carbon in the atmosphere contributes to the greenhouse effect and leads to higher temperatures.
2. Reduced carbon sequestration: Trees act as a carbon sink, meaning they remove CO2 from the atmosphere and store it in their roots, trunks, and branches. When trees are cut down, this important function of carbon sequestration is lost, reducing the overall capacity of ecosystems to mitigate climate change.
3. Decreased shading and increased urban heat island effect: Trees provide shade, which can help keep temperatures lower in urban areas and reduce the demand for air conditioning. When trees are removed, there is less shade, leading to increased heat absorption by buildings and pavement, resulting in the urban heat island effect. This effect exacerbates global warming on a local scale.
4. Changes in regional climate: Trees also contribute to local and regional climate patterns through evapotranspiration, the process by which plants release water vapor into the atmosphere. This water vapor cools the air, and when trees are removed, there is less evapotranspiration, leading to warmer and drier conditions in the affected area.
It is worth noting that while cutting down trees can contribute to global warming, sustainable forest management practices can help mitigate these negative impacts by ensuring the replanting and restoration of forests, as well as using harvested wood as a renewable resource instead of fossil fuel-intensive alternatives.