It is true that major parts of Africa's forests have flipped from being net carbon sinks to carbon sources, largely driven by accelerated deforestation and land degradation after 2010. While historically these forests absorbed roughly 1 billion tons of CO2𝐶𝑂2 annually, a shift caused by human activity means they now release more carbon than they absorb.

It is true that major parts of Africa's forests have flipped from being net carbon sinks to carbon sources, largely driven by accelerated deforestation and land degradation after 2010. 

While historically these forests absorbed roughly 1 billion tons of CO2𝐶𝑂2

 annually, a shift caused by human activity means they now release more carbon than they absorb. 

Key Drivers of the Shift

Deforestation & Degradation: -

Agriculture expansion and infrastructure projects.

Fuelwood Demand: -

High reliance on biomass for fuel in rural areas.

Regional Trends:-

 Heavily impacted areas include the Congo Basin forests, Madagascar, and West Africa.

Timing: -

Research suggests this reversal became significant post-2010, turning forests into net emitters rather than sponges. 

Global Warming Acceleration:-

 Fewer sinks mean more CO2 𝐶𝑂2 stays in the atmosphere.

Climate Targets Risk: -

Reversing this trend is essential to keep global temperature increases within 

2.8 ∘𝐶 to 3.1∘𝐶 by 2100.

Immediate Need for Conservation: -

Protecting these remaining forests is now crucial for global climate strategies. 

The Congo Basin specifically holds the potential to remain a major carbon sink if preserved effectively. 

Africa's forests transformed from carbon sinks to carbon sources.

   Africa's forests transformed from carbon sink to carbon source, study finds. Africa's forests have turned from a carbon sink into a carbon source.

MJF Lion ER YK Sharma