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Protecting irrecoverable carbon in Earth’s ecosystems

Author

Listed:
  • Allie Goldstein

    (Conservation International)

  • Will R. Turner

    (Conservation International)

  • Seth A. Spawn

    (University of Wisconsin-Madison
    University of Wisconsin-Madison)

  • Kristina J. Anderson-Teixeira

    (Conservation Ecology Center)

  • Susan Cook-Patton

    (The Nature Conservancy)

  • Joseph Fargione

    (The Nature Conservancy)

  • Holly K. Gibbs

    (University of Wisconsin-Madison
    University of Wisconsin-Madison)

  • Bronson Griscom

    (Conservation International)

  • Jennifer H. Hewson

    (Conservation International)

  • Jennifer F. Howard

    (Conservation International)

  • Juan Carlos Ledezma

    (Conservation International Bolivia)

  • Susan Page

    (University of Leicester)

  • Lian Pin Koh

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Johan Rockström

    (Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research)

  • Jonathan Sanderman

    (Woods Hole Research Center)

  • David G. Hole

    (Conservation International)

Abstract

Avoiding catastrophic climate change requires rapid decarbonization and improved ecosystem stewardship. To achieve the latter, ecosystems should be prioritized by responsiveness to direct, localized action and the magnitude and recoverability of their carbon stores. Here, we show that a range of ecosystems contain ‘irrecoverable carbon’ that is vulnerable to release upon land use conversion and, once lost, is not recoverable on timescales relevant to avoiding dangerous climate impacts. Globally, ecosystems highly affected by human land-use decisions contain at least 260 Gt of irrecoverable carbon, with particularly high densities in peatlands, mangroves, old-growth forests and marshes. To achieve climate goals, we must safeguard these irrecoverable carbon pools through an expanded set of policy and finance strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • Allie Goldstein & Will R. Turner & Seth A. Spawn & Kristina J. Anderson-Teixeira & Susan Cook-Patton & Joseph Fargione & Holly K. Gibbs & Bronson Griscom & Jennifer H. Hewson & Jennifer F. Howard & Ju, 2020. "Protecting irrecoverable carbon in Earth’s ecosystems," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 10(4), pages 287-295, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcli:v:10:y:2020:i:4:d:10.1038_s41558-020-0738-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41558-020-0738-8
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    Cited by:

    1. Okunlola, Ayodeji & Davis, Matthew & Kumar, Amit, 2022. "The development of an assessment framework to determine the technical hydrogen production potential from wind and solar energy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 166(C).

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