Earth's carbon sinks are being eroded by climate change feedback loops

image via New Scientist

August 19, 2025, 3:00 PM

• •The land and oceans are becoming less effective at absorbing excess carbon dioxide due to climate change.
• •Feedback effects, such as extreme weather events, are reducing the capacity of natural carbon sinks.
• •These effects are responsible for approximately 15% of the increase in CO2 levels since 1960.
• •Scientists are monitoring the changes in carbon sinks to understand the long-term impacts of climate change.

Climate change is hindering the ability of the Earth's natural carbon sinks, like land and oceans, to absorb excess carbon dioxide. This decline means more CO2 remains in the atmosphere, exacerbating warming. Feedback effects, such as extreme weather events, are responsible for a significant portion of the increased CO2 levels since 1960. While the sinks are not collapsing, their capacity is diminishing, and scientists are closely monitoring these changes to understand the long-term impacts.

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