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The "lungs of the planet" are phasing out air purification
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
It is generally accepted that the main damage to the environment is caused by developed regions and countries that generate the most carbon dioxide. They bear the entire burden of responsibility for the so-called "global warming". A study conducted by representatives of the University of Edinburgh demonstrated that the economy of less developed regions is no less "guilty". At the same time, the hour of reckoning is near: tropical forest plantations, which are rightly called the "lungs of the planet", are gradually ceasing to clean the air and release oxygen.
Forests play a fundamental role in oxygenating the atmosphere and supporting life on the planet. Scientists are sounding the alarm, trying to draw society's attention to the following problem: the generation of oxygen and carbon dioxide on Earth is currently almost equal.
Forest plantations are subject to intensive cutting. This is necessary for agricultural needs, for the location of livestock farms. However, livestock farming is the main generator of methane, which plays a key role in influencing climate change. By the way, this influence is 20 times more negative for the climate than the well-known carbon dioxide.
Scientists have calculated that active deforestation and soil depletion have led to an increase in carbon dioxide emissions in the tropics by about 20%. Fortunately, there are still intact forests that can at least somehow compensate for the increased load. Excessive carbon dioxide in the atmosphere even accelerates their growth, but the experts' forecast for the next few decades is not at all encouraging.
The University of Edinburgh is calling for more extensive research into the issue to be carried out as soon as possible. Project leader Dr Edd Mitchard says: “It is difficult to predict the future impact of tropical forests on climate change. We do not know what will happen to the climate in the future, and we cannot be sure that certain countries will keep all the commitments made to preserve these forests. We are sorry, but our project has shown that forests are gradually losing their ability to resist climate change, and not only stop releasing oxygen, but also become generators of greenhouse gases.”
Over the past few years, scientists have been receiving evidence of radical climate changes almost weekly. Experts never tire of focusing society's attention on the fact that the time has come for urgent and active intervention to solve the problem. For example, a change in the temperature values of the Barents Sea has already been recorded, which will sooner or later have a negative impact on the entire Arctic. And on the opposite side - in the territory of Antarctica - the melting of ice has accelerated three times. Such facts indicate not only massive global warming. This is the first "bell" foreshadowing imminent periods of powerful hurricane winds and massive destructive floods.
The publication is presented by the journal Nature.