How does deforestation affect climate change?

Deforestation significantly impacts climate change primarily by reducing carbon absorption. Trees play a crucial role in the carbon cycle; they absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere during the process of photosynthesis, storing carbon in their biomass. When forests are cut down, not only is this carbon absorption capability diminished, but the carbon stored in the trees is often released back into the atmosphere when the trees are burned or decompose, contributing to an increase in atmospheric CO2 levels.

The increase in CO2 is a major contributor to the greenhouse effect, which leads to global warming and climate change. Thus, the loss of forests directly translates to a reduction in our planet’s capacity to absorb CO2, exacerbating the problem of climate change.

In contrast, promoting biodiversity or enhancing soil quality are beneficial environmental factors, but they do not directly address the connection between deforestation and climate change in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. Similarly, an increase in ozone levels is unrelated to the process of deforestation.