Carbon Sinks

A carbon sink is anything that absorbs more carbon dioxide than it releases. Forests, oceans, and soil are the planet's biggest carbon sinks. They soak up carbon dioxide from the air and store it away. Carbon sinks are nature's way of keeping the air clean and helping fight climate change.

Nature's Storage System

Trees are amazing carbon sinks. As they grow, they absorb carbon dioxide and store it in their wood, leaves, and roots. The ocean absorbs carbon dioxide from the air and stores it deep in the water. Peatlands and wetlands also lock away huge amounts of carbon in their soil. Together, these sinks remove billions of tons of carbon from the air each year.

Sinks in Danger

When forests are cut down or burned, the stored carbon is released back into the air. Warming oceans absorb less carbon dioxide over time. Draining wetlands releases the carbon that was locked away. Protecting and restoring carbon sinks is one of the best ways to slow climate change. Planting new forests creates new carbon sinks.

Fun Facts

• The world's forests absorb about 2.6 billion tons of carbon dioxide every year.
• The ocean has absorbed about one-third of all the carbon dioxide humans have ever produced.
• Peatlands cover only 3 percent of the land but store about 30 percent of all soil carbon.

Did You Know?

Mangrove forests can store up to four times more carbon per acre than tropical rainforests!