Ozone pollution reduces tropical forest growth | Ozone gas is reducing the growth of tropical forests – leaving an estimated 290 million tonnes of carbon uncaptured each year
Ozone pollution reduces tropical forest growth | Ozone gas is reducing the growth of tropical forests – leaving an estimated 290 million tonnes of carbon uncaptured each year
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From the article: Ozone gas is reducing the growth of tropical forests – leaving an estimated 290 million tonnes of carbon uncaptured each year, new [research shows](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-024-01530-1).
The ozone layer in the stratosphere shields our planet from harmful ultraviolet radiation – and protecting it is one of the major successes of environmental action.
But ozone at ground level – formed by the combination of pollutants from human activities in the presence of sunlight – interferes with plants’ ability to absorb carbon dioxide. Ozone is also harmful to human health.
The new study, published in the journal Nature Geoscience, calculates that ground-level ozone reduces new yearly growth in tropical forests by 5.1% on average.
The effect is stronger in some regions – with Asia’s tropical forests losing 10.9% of new growth.
Tropical forests are vital “carbon sinks” – capturing and storing carbon dioxide that would otherwise stay in the atmosphere and contribute to global warming.
Dang, we were to successful. Now there is too much ozone?