The Future of Natural Carbon Sink – Brandon Sun

Opinion

The Earth currently absorbs about half of all human carbon emissions through its oceans, forests, soils and other natural carbon sinks, thereby regulating the planet’s climate. However, over the past 60 years, the annual rate of increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels has been approximately 100 times the previous natural rate of increase (according to NOAA Global Monitoring Laboratory). Preliminary results for 2023, the hottest year on record, show the amount of carbon sequestered by the earth has dropped significantly. According to one study, forests, plants and soil absorbed almost no carbon, and the global net sink of CO2 to land was 0.44 ± 0.21 GtC per year (a measure of gigatons of carbon sequestered), the lowest since 2003. (

There have been many worrying signs of this development over the years, as Greenland’s glaciers and Arctic ice are melting faster than expected. This interferes with the ocean’s Gulf Stream, slowing the rate at which the ocean absorbs carbon. Melting sea ice also affects algae-eating zooplankton by exposing them to more sunlight, keeping them at depth longer and disrupting vertical migration that stores carbon on the ocean floor. Forest fires in Canada last year also released huge amounts of CO2. Because of these wildfires, preliminary evidence of our land’s carbon sink may be temporary, but it shows the fragility of these ecosystems and the direction of climate change.

Without the availability of technologies that can remove large-scale atmospheric carbon, achieving net zero would be impossible without nature. Earth’s resources are the only option to absorb carbon pollution, which reached a record level of 37.4 billion tons in 2023. Due to the constant pressure on these resources, they continue to be damaged over time. Oceans are the largest sink of CO2. Having absorbed 90 percent of warming from fossil fuels in recent decades, rising water temperatures are weakening the carbon sink. Soil is the second largest store of carbon, and its emissions are expected to increase by as much as 40 percent by the end of the century if the situation continues at its current state. If our natural carbon sinks stop working, the world will have to make much more drastic cuts to greenhouse gas emissions.

While anthropogenic emissions are easier to measure, these natural carbon sinks are much more difficult to understand. Climate change models created by scientists over the years agree that both land and ocean runoff will reduce their uptake in the future. But the unpredictability of when that will happen has climate scientists worried. Many factors are not included in these models due to recent losses such as wildfires, making the estimates overly optimistic. In recent years, there have also been many assessments of how we can increase the amount of carbon sequestered by forests and ecosystems. But many researchers now say the bigger challenge is protecting the carbon sinks we already have, because for many years we assumed they would always be with us.

Sustainable Brandon is a non-profit organization that works to make the city of Brandon more environmentally conscious. They conducted community cleanups, helped with climate strikes, and made presentations to the city council. The Brandon City Council Environment and Climate Change Committee is a new formal council committee that was created following the dissolution of the Brandon Environment Committee. They help educate the public on environmental issues, and in May 2023 adopted a Climate Action Plan with the goal of achieving net zero (no greenhouse gas emissions or offsets) by 2050. Aidan Punak Murphy, recent sophomore at Neelin High School alumna and youth representative on the Environment and Climate Action Plan Committee. He was able to answer several questions.

Question: What was your reaction when you learned that our lands and trees no longer absorb as much CO2?

A: To be honest, I’m not too surprised that our lands and trees aren’t absorbing as much CO2 as they used to. We live in a time where forest fires are getting bigger and bigger every year and are simply destroying huge chunks of forest that used to absorb all that CO2. It’s very sad, but I recently learned that forest fires are a natural part of the life cycle of some forests; and we’ve been suppressing these fires for hundreds of years. Because of all this suppression, these fires are now much bigger, hotter and more intense, which is why they are so difficult to contain. But because these boreal forests are literally made to be burned; the land is not useless after it has been devastated by fire. We are already seeing signs of a healthy resumption of growth in many places; and we hope that these previously burned lands will soon be able to absorb CO2 again.

Question: What do you suggest ordinary people should do to mitigate the effects of the climate crisis?

Answer: I can think of a few things: learn what you can and can’t recycle (there are a lot of things you may not know about that can be recycled), try to actively use less water (don’t let your taps run, take less water, shower, install water-saving taps and toilets). If possible, try composting. The most important thing anyone can do is try their best not to rely on a personal vehicle. Transportation is the largest single contributor to carbon emissions, and if you’re in a situation where you can afford to bike to work or maybe take the bus, do it!

Question: What do you see in the future if our carbon emissions remain the same as they are now?

A: I’ll be completely honest; I really don’t know. Of course, it is important to understand the urgency of climate change; how it affects biodiversity and kills ecosystems, but what’s more important is not to drown in the death of it all. I can sit here and think about how bad things can get if we don’t do anything; but ultimately, I think it’s more important to look at what has already happened due to climate change and use that as motivation to ensure that the damage we’ve already caused doesn’t get worse.

Question: As a recent Nilin graduate, are there any resources or opportunities you would like to share with young teens who also want to get involved in helping sustainability and the environment?

A: Sustainable Brandon is a volunteer-run committee whose goal is to try to raise awareness among Brandon residents concerned about environmental issues. Bee City Brandon is another volunteer group in Brandon that specializes in raising awareness of the importance of pollinators! This was the group behind the restoration of Eleanor Kidd Park along the river. (Additionally) I am the youth representative on the Environment and Climate Action Plan Committee, which is a group that helps people working in the City of Brandon become more environmentally conscious. If you or anyone you know has any questions that you would like me to address at one of the meetings, you can email me at =N:E=.

Question: Is there anything else you would like to share on this topic?

A: Try your best to remain optimistic! It’s so easy to get lost in all the negative stories, buzzwords and fearmongering about climate change; but if we are always told how bad things are, how can we fix it? If you or someone you know is passionate about making a difference, I encourage you to find a positive story about climate change. There are many of them, because millions of people want to make the world a better place. You are not alone. Even here in Brandon, even in Neelin, there are a lot more people than you think who want to do a little good. We have it.

There are many resources mentioned above that aim to make Brandon a more sustainable city. Sharing your goals or spreading awareness about climate change can make a big difference in our community. Studying this topic is already an important step towards change!

» Georgia Feng is a 11th grade student at Niling Middle School.