Africa's forests have undergone a devastating transformation from being a crucial carbon sink to a significant contributor of greenhouse gases, according to a recent study. The shift since 2010 has left all three major rainforest regions – the Amazon, south-east Asia, and Africa – as perpetrators in the fight against climate change rather than allies.
Human activities are largely responsible for this drastic change. Farmers are clearing more land for food production, while infrastructure projects and mining are exacerbating the loss of vegetation and accelerating global warming caused by burning fossil fuels. The consequences have been dire: African forests have lost an estimated 106 billion kilograms of biomass per year between 2010 and 2017 – equivalent to the weight of around 106 million cars.
The tropical moist broadleaf forests in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, and parts of western Africa were particularly hard hit. Researchers from the National Centre for Earth Observation at Universities of Leicester, Sheffield, and Edinburgh used satellite data and machine learning to track changes in carbon storage over more than a decade.
The study revealed that Africa initially gained carbon between 2007 and 2010, but since then, widespread forest loss has tipped the balance, making the continent a significant contributor of CO2 emissions. The findings underscore the urgent need for action to prevent further forest loss or risk losing one of the world's most important natural carbon buffers.
Brazil has launched an initiative called Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF), aiming to mobilize over $100 billion in funding to protect forests by paying countries to leave their forests untouched. However, so far, only a handful of nations have invested a total of $6.5 billion into the program.
Experts warn that policymakers must take immediate action to put in place stronger safeguards to protect the world's tropical forests. Professor Heiko Balzter, senior author and director of the Institute for Environmental Futures at the University of Leicester, emphasized the need to rapidly scale up the TFFF initiative.
Human activities are largely responsible for this drastic change. Farmers are clearing more land for food production, while infrastructure projects and mining are exacerbating the loss of vegetation and accelerating global warming caused by burning fossil fuels. The consequences have been dire: African forests have lost an estimated 106 billion kilograms of biomass per year between 2010 and 2017 – equivalent to the weight of around 106 million cars.
The tropical moist broadleaf forests in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, and parts of western Africa were particularly hard hit. Researchers from the National Centre for Earth Observation at Universities of Leicester, Sheffield, and Edinburgh used satellite data and machine learning to track changes in carbon storage over more than a decade.
The study revealed that Africa initially gained carbon between 2007 and 2010, but since then, widespread forest loss has tipped the balance, making the continent a significant contributor of CO2 emissions. The findings underscore the urgent need for action to prevent further forest loss or risk losing one of the world's most important natural carbon buffers.
Brazil has launched an initiative called Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF), aiming to mobilize over $100 billion in funding to protect forests by paying countries to leave their forests untouched. However, so far, only a handful of nations have invested a total of $6.5 billion into the program.
Experts warn that policymakers must take immediate action to put in place stronger safeguards to protect the world's tropical forests. Professor Heiko Balzter, senior author and director of the Institute for Environmental Futures at the University of Leicester, emphasized the need to rapidly scale up the TFFF initiative.
. These African forests used to be like a big breath of fresh air, but now they're basically contributing to climate change 
. It's crazy that humans are destroying them for food and other stuff, and it's not just the forests in Africa that are affected – the whole world is feeling the heat 
.
. And it's not just about the trees themselves, but also the animals and people who depend on them for survival 
. We need to act fast and support initiatives like TFFF 
. It's not just about throwing money at a problem, though – we need better laws and regulations in place to protect our forests 
.
. I hope policymakers take action soon and make sure these forests are protected for future generations 
. We can do better than this, right? 
Africa's forests are like our own backyard - we need to take care of 'em. I'm so disappointed in what I've been reading about these forests, it's just not sustainable anymore 
. We gotta get our priorities straight and start valuing these forests over our greed for resources. It's all about balance, you know? Farmers can still have their food, but they don't have to sacrifice the future of our planet in the process 
. We need more than just funding, we need systemic changes that prioritize conservation and sustainability over profits 
. Let's get moving on this! 
this is crazy! 106 million cars worth of carbon lost every year? that's insane. i mean i get it, we need our food and energy, but can't we find ways to live with nature instead of destroying it? 
Brazil's initiative is a good start, but $6.5 billion out of $100 billion is like 0.01%... where's the urgency? 
we need policymakers to act fast and invest more in forest conservation, not just throwing money at it slow 
Brazil's TFFF initiative is a good start but $6.5 billion isnt even close to $100 billion 
maybe if we all work together we can make a difference 
, and it's all because humans are being so reckless! I mean, we know climate change is real, but come on, do we really have to clear more land for farming just to feed ourselves? 
i mean we all know deforestation is a huge issue but this study blows me away. like 106 billion kg of biomass lost per year? thats just insane! 
. I mean, who knew that Africa's forests were actually harming the environment instead of helping us? It's crazy! The data shows that they lost so much biomass in just 7 years - it's like losing 106 million cars' worth of carbon storage every year... that's insane! 
it's wild to think that africa's forests are actually contributing to climate change now... i know we've been talking about deforestation in asia and amazon, but africa has taken a huge hit too. 106 million cars worth of biomass loss per year is just crazy 
. i feel like the world needs to step up its efforts to protect these forests ASAP. brazil's initiative sounds promising, but they need more countries on board 
.
I'm literally shook by this news! Africa's forests used to be a lifesaver for the planet but now they're contributing to climate change? It's just not right. We gotta step it up and protect our trees, fam! 
I mean, have you seen those numbers? 106 million cars' worth of biomass loss? That's a lot of carbon emissions! 
We gotta support initiatives like TFFF and work together as a global community. Every little bit counts, even if it's just $6.5 billion out of $100 billion... it's still progress, right? 
. We need to acknowledge the importance of protecting our natural carbon sinks and take concrete steps to prevent further forest loss 
.
I'm really skeptical about this whole Tropical Forest Forever Facility thing 
How do we know this initiative won't just become another example of greenwashing?