Forest crisis sparks alarm that Europe will miss net-zero targets.
Extreme weather, pest outbreaks and overharvesting are turning forest carbon sinks into carbon sources across Europe, undermining a crucial part of countries’ net-zero plans.

Forest crisis sparks alarm that Europe will miss net-zero targets.
Extreme weather, pest outbreaks and overharvesting are turning forest carbon sinks into carbon sources across Europe, undermining a crucial part of countries’ net-zero plans.
New publication: Fungal-mediated soil aggregation as a mechanism for #carbonstabilization. #fungidiversity #carbonsinks #greenhousegas
https://doi.org/10.1093/ismejo/wraf074
25-Apr-2025
#Cryosphere meltdown will impact Arctic marine carbon cycles and ecosystems, new study warns
A new study led by Jochen Knies from the iC3 Polar Research Hub has found worrying signs that climate change may be undermining the capacity of #Arctic fjords to serve as effective #carbonSinks. The findings suggest that the capacity of polar oceans to remove carbon from the atmosphere may be reduced as the world continues to heat up.
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1081726 #science #ClimateCatastrophe
#Trump admin declares emergency in #California's #federal #forests
The executive action spans the entire state
By Erin Rode, Contributing LA Outdoors EditorApril 8, 2025
"A memo from the secretary of the United States Department of #Agriculture released last week outlines the Trump administration’s plans to quickly expand logging operations in the country’s #NationalForests, which could dramatically reshape the landscape of popular recreation areas in California."
Read more:
https://www.sfgate.com/la/article/california-national-forests-logging-20263873.php
Archived version:
https://archive.ph/K6esm
The #DeepOcean is home to fragile #ecosystems, unique #species, and critical #CarbonSinks that help regulate global #climate. #Mining the ocean floor will destroy these ecosystems and release toxic #pollutants, leading to irreparable damage to ocean #biodiversity.
We know this is a longer post, but understanding the full context is crucial. The fact that #companies can now exploit this #loophole in #InternationalWaters
A magical tribute to Canada's #GnarliestTree - in #AvatarGrove in #PortRenfrew.
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/canada-s-gnarliest-tree
https://vancouverislandview.com/finding-port-renfrews-biggest-trees
We fought hard to save the ancient trees & their life-sustaining wild ecosystems, to get Avatar Grove area protected & turned into a public park. It was previously on the corporate deforestation list prior to the hard grassroots fight to save this area of Port Renfrew, where old growth forests were rapidly dwindling due to colonial capitalist style of short-term greedy gains & putting nature last. Nature should be first.
#Maine: #Grasses, #Sedges and #Rushes: What’s the Difference?
"When most of us step into our gardens or take a walk in the woods and stumble across a patch of plants with long and slender leaves and large seed heads, we assume we’re looking at a type of grass. However, there’s an enormous amount of diversity in the plant world, and plants that we think are grasses may actually be rushes or sedges. Knowing how to differentiate these plants—collectively known as graminoids—can be a fun exercise in plant identification; it’s also helpful for determining what plants will grow best in your native garden.
"Recently, I had the privilege of attending Jill Weber’s workshop on grass identification, which was organized by Native Gardens of Blue Hill. During the workshop, attendees gained hands-on experience identifying an assortment of native grasses, sedges and rushes, and I wanted to share what I learned with you! In the guide below, we’ll cover some of the key points on grass identification. You’ll also find some suggestions for the best native grasses, sedges and rushes to grow in your own garden.
Grasses, Sedges and Rushes: What’s the Difference?
"Grasses, sedges and rushes may look a lot a like at first glance, but there are a few ways to tell these plants apart. The identification tips below can help you determine what plants are growing in your garden. For more detailed information, you may want to explore the grass ID section on the Go Botany website or consult a quality plant identification book.
Grasses (Poaceae)
"True grasses are found throughout Maine, and throughout the world. Many of our most common grasses are not native to Maine and thrive in sunny and warm locations like fields and abandoned pastures; however, many native grasses are very cold hardy, some prefer wet environments and others grow happily in shade. Interestingly, the majority of our food crops actually belong to the grass family and those include wheat, rice, barley, oats, millet and bamboo!
"A clear way to determine if a graminoid is a true grass is by analyzing its stem and leaf formation. Grasses generally have flattened or rounded stems with pronounced joints or nodes (think bamboo!) Grasses also have 'two ranked' leaves, which means the leaves sprout on two sides of the plant. If you peel a grass blade down from the stem and expose the plant’s papery ligule, you’ll find that many grass ligules are easy to see with a hand lens and can be smooth or ragged on the margin, although some grasses don’t have ligules at all.*
* This is much easier to see with a loupe!
"Some of the most attractive species of true grasses that are native to Maine include:
● #PurpleLovegrass (Eragrostis spectabilis)
● #LittleBluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
● #BigBluestem (Andropogon gerardii)
● #DroopingWoodreed (Cinna latifolia)
● #Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)
Sedges (Cyperaceae)
"Sedges can look a lot like true grasses, and they’re likely to be found in moist soils, although some sedges can tolerate dry conditions. Sedge seed heads are very variable, and some sedges have lots of ornamental appeal.
"The easiest way to determine if a plant is a sedge or not is to feel its stem. Sedge stems are generally triangular in shape and they won’t roll easily between your fingers. The leaves of sedges are typically three ranked, encircling the plant’s stem on three vertical planes. If you peel back a sedge leaf, you’ll notice that their papery ligules are triangular in form, often less noticeable than those of the grasses.
"Sedges can be useful in rain or water gardens, but some sedges can be grown in standard ornamental beds, or even used as a no-mow lawn substitute for small areas.
"If you’re interested in trying out sedges in your landscape, look for these native Maine species:
● #Pennsylvaniasedge (Carex pensylvanica)
● #FoxSedge (Carex vulpinoidea)
● #PointedBroomSedge (Carex scoparia)
● #NoddingSedge (Carex gynandra)
● #TussockSedge (Carex stricta)
Rushes (Juncaceae)
"Like sedges, many rushes and woodrushes prefer moist soil, and some rushes are appropriate for garden planting. Water-loving rushes make spectacular additions to rain gardens or small ponds, or they can be grown in poorly draining sections of your yard where other plants won’t thrive.
"Unlike sedges, rushes have rounded stems, but they lack the nodes that are found in true grasses. Rush flowers can be inconspicuous, but many species can hold their own in any flower garden. Rush leaves typically sprout from the base of the plant and encircle the plant’s stems; however, rushes can be varied and particular species may have different leaf formations.
"If you’re on the hunt for rushes to try in water features or in ornamental beds, these Maine natives are a great place to start:
● #SoftRush (Juncus effusus)
● #CommonWoodrush (Luzula multiflora)
● #WireRush (Juncus balticus)
● #CanadaRush (Juncus canadensis)
● #HairyWoodrush (Luzula acuminata)
How to use #graminoids in the landscape
"Grasses, sedges and rushes offer a lot of benefits to the home gardener. Not only are graminoids beautiful, but their seed heads can provide an important food source for wild birds in late summer, autumn and winter. When interplanted with other native #perennials, graminoids provide texture to gardens, as well as movement when their leaves catch in the breeze. Many graminoids also stay upright during winter, providing winter interest and habitat for wildlife. And, not to be overlooked, graminoids are also useful for #basketweaving if you’re interested in crafting!
"On a larger scale, graminoids serve as #CarbonSinks and they help to counter climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Some graminoids are useful for erosion control or for #bioremediation projects. In wetland areas, grasses, rushes and sedges can aid with #WaterFiltration, and they provide habitat and food for various #wildlife species.
"When growing graminoids in your garden, make sure you consider the plant’s specific light, water and soil requirements. Some grasses are more suitable for gardens than others and offer a variety of leaf color, stiffness, height and seed characteristics. Rushes and sedges can be essential additions to rain gardens and other water features. Many native graminoids are spectacularly low maintenance, and they need very minimal water once established. Growing them in your garden or replacing some of your turf grass lawn with native ornamental grasses, sedges and rushes can cut down your lawn maintenance needs and also make your garden that much more #EcoFriendly!"
https://www.nativemainegardens.org/single-post/grasses-sedges-and-rushes-what-s-the-difference
#SolarPunkSunday #GardeningForBirds #Rewilding #Grasslands
Plans to stabilise Earth’s climate rely on emerging carbon removal technology – we need to get moving #ClimateCrisis #emissions #CO2 #carbonsinks #netzero https://theconversation.com/plans-to-stabilise-earths-climate-rely-on-emerging-carbon-removal-technology-we-need-to-get-moving-237318?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=bylinetwitterbutton
[#Abstractions - Episode 2] #CO2 stripes
From the #earth, they slowly stretch towards the #sky, absorbing, through their growth and throughout their existence, part of our #fossil carbon dioxide #emissions trapped in the #atmosphere. So many natural #carbon #sinks that we need to preserve in order to mitigate #climate #change
Source : https://www.culturediff.org/english/ocabstract2.htm
#photography #co2 #ClimateChange #CarbonSinks
#abstractPhotography
New post from me on recent stories of #CarbonSinks "collapsing" last year & Earth's "buffering capacity" reaching its limits, putting it in context of past trends & future projections. A bit of a lukewarm take by now, but hopefully a useful explainer!
Will you be my #CarbonCapture just does not roll off tongues as well as will you be my Valentine.
I don't want a temp Valentine.
I want a lifelong carbon capture buddypal.
From the Bretton Woods Project: #Forests
"Finally, the [#WorldBank] ’s #forest policy and #WeakSafeguards on #ForestProtection have also been observed to infringe the rights of local communities and have failed to protect one of the planet’s most important ‘#CarbonSinks’ (see Observer Spring 2017). CSOs have called for the Bank to open up its Forest Notes – which are meant to guide the interface between its lending and forests – to consultation (see Observer Winter 2017-2018). CSOs have also been highly critical of one of the forest initiatives the Bank manages, the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF), a climate investment fund that supports Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) projects. A March 2017 post in REDD Monitor called the FCPF, 'the most cost-inefficient tree-saving scheme ever,' owing to high administrative costs between fiscal years 2009-2015 absorbing 64 per cent of FCFP’s $55 million expenditure. More generally, the Bank’s overall approach to lending has undermined the protection of vital natural ecosystems in borrower countries. As noted by Bruce Rich in his influential 2013 book, Foreclosing the Future: The World Bank and the Politics of Environmental Destruction, 'When one examines the failures to conserve ecosystems, or to mitigate environmental impacts of development, one finds that failed governance at all levels is almost invariably at the root. …Many of [the Bank’s] problems are associated with a dysfunctional institutional culture in which the relentless pressure to move money out the door, even in violation of the Bank’s own policies and rules, often overrides all other considerations.'"
2017: World Bank policy lending undermines climate goals
"One of the main problems is the Bank’s refusal to adequately assess the social and environmental risks of their policy loans" - Harlem Mariño, Derechos, Ambiente y Recursos Naturales
6 April 2017
"A late January report by US-based NGO Bank Information Center (BIC), together with partners in Egypt, Indonesia, Mozambique and Peru, claimed that the Bank is undermining its climate commitments by supporting investment incentives for coal, gas and oil projects through its development policy financing (DPF) mechanism. DPF accounts for approximately a third of all Bank funding and provides resources for programmes of policy and institutional reforms that are agreed by the Bank and the borrowing government (see Update 82). The report argued that the Bank’s financing through DPF contradicts the internationally agreed and Bank-supported goal of limiting the global average temperature increase to 2°C, which according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change would require that at least two-thirds of existing fossil fuel reserves are left in the ground.
"BIC’s report looked at the Bank’s DPF measures in four countries: Egypt, Indonesia, Mozambique and Peru. It found that DPF introduced subsidies for coal in all countries, apart from Peru. For example, the report argued that Bank-supported subsidies for coal infrastructure have helped Indonesia become one of the world’s top coal exporters. It found some DPF support for renewable energy, but argued that the Bank could do more given that all countries examined have potential to develop renewable energy. For example, while Peru’s DPF provides subsidies to public-private partnerships to develop oil and gas infrastructure, it does not include plans for solar or wind power projects."
https://www.brettonwoodsproject.org/2017/04/world-bank-policy-lending-undermines-climate-goals/
#FCPF #REDD #Ecosystems #ProtectTheForests #EnvironmentalDestruction #ForestDegradation #Deforestation #EnvironmentalImpacts #Egypt #Indonesia #Mozambique #Peru #LeaveItInTheGround #Coal #BigOilAndGas #ExtractiveIndustries #Exploitation #EnvironmentalImpacts
#HumanRights #ParisAgreement
#ParisClimateAgreement #BigOilAndGas #CorporateColonialism #IMFLoanSharks #RenewablesNow
#Backroads on #DididahtTerritory.
This is part of the #SanJuanRiver & forests in the valley. The #watershed area is under ongoing #ecological threats by industrial #clearcut #logging. This is near #CarmannahWalbran #BritishColumbia provincial park.
The forests here are longtime foraging, mating & birthing grounds for the #CowichanValley Roosevelt elk herd. The San Juan is an important salmon bearing river. The old growth forests here are home to several #SpeciesAtRisk & #EndangeredSpecies.
There is ongoing eco activism work to try & protect more of the forests & #waterways in this #wilderness valley on Southern #VancouverIsland.
"Brazil (58%) and Paraguay (6%) alone account for nearly two-thirds of global cattle-pasture deforestation": https://trase.earth/insights/deduce-new-data-to-inform-action-against-commodity-driven-deforestation
"Forests Thrive When Indigenous People Have Legal Stewardship of Their Land", by Fitri Arianti: https://observatory.wiki/Forests_Thrive_When_Indigenous_People_Have_Legal_Stewardship_of_Their_Land
"For the first time in recorded history, the southeast region of #Amazonia has morphed from a carbon sink into a carbon source, releasing more CO2 than it can naturally absorb." #CarbonSinks #ClimateCrisis https://blog.ecosia.org/halloween2024/
Brenda the Civil Disobedient Penguin, is on the money with this cartoon on earth carbon sinks are not carbon sinking at the moment, and climate scientists have failed to factor this into climate models.
#Humour by
@firstdogonthemoon
#Carbonsinks #ClimateCrisis
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/picture/2024/oct/28/scientists-have-discovered-that-earths-carbon-sinks-are-not-really-carbon-sinking-at-the-moment
Forest carbon sinks have been overestimated, logging must be reduced, says #Finnish #Environment Institute
#forestindustry #finland #CarbonSinks
https://yle.fi/a/74-20120043
What happens to the world if forests stop absorbing carbon? Ask Finland #Finland #forests #carbonsinks #ClimateCrisis #emissions #deforestation #carbonoffsetting https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/oct/15/finland-emissions-target-forests-peatlands-sinks-absorbing-carbon-aoe?CMP=share_btn_url