Forests Absorb Twice as Much Carbon as They Emit Each Year
Provided by: Global Forest Watch|Published on: January 17, 2023|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Type: Articles/Websites
Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences, Geography
Authors: Nancy Harris, David Gibbs, Global Forest Watch
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This article describes how the world's forests can act as carbon sources and sinks, depending on their management.
- Students will learn about forest management practices that affect carbon emissions and the positive impacts of indigenous land rights in resource protection.
- The article ends with a short video about the technology used to map forest carbon sinks and sources around the world.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This article provides a concise explanation of forests acting as carbon sources and sinks and how this is linked to climate change.
- The maps and graphics are great visuals to help students understand the information.
Additional Prerequisites
- Students should be familiar with decoding maps that use color legends to convey data.
Differentiation
- Students can continue their research with some of the linked resources and share their findings with the class.
- Teachers may want to discuss how to interpret the infographic data included in the article with the class to ensure they understand what the visuals are conveying.
- This resource could be used in science classes when learning about deforestation, the carbon cycle, climate change, and climate change solutions.
Students will be tooled with forest mapping skills to identify and analyse rate of deforestation, blue spots, sinks and also develop long-term plans for sustainable forest protection. The resource is valid and recommended to teach students.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
