News Climate

Australia’s tropical forests now emit CO₂, clouding the COP30 talks

Carbon emissions from this one region may foreshadow global forest trends

A lush tropical forest in Queensland, Australia.

Australia’s tropical forests (one shown) are now a net source of carbon to the atmosphere, a new study finds. Other forests — including the Amazon — are not far behind.

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By Carolyn Gramling

Australia’s tropical forests are the world’s first to flip a worrisome switch.