Forests - just how absorbing are they?
Forests form an integral part of the Kyoto Protocol on climate change because they act as terrestrial "sinks" to soak up the carbon emissions that are contributing to global warming. Countries that have ratified the protocol can offset their carbon emissions quota by planting trees, either at home or in developing countries. But how efficient is this "carbon trading" and how good are forests at absorbing these extra carbon emissions? Nearly one hundred of the world's leading experts on global warming will gather in Southampton from 1-4 April 2003 to share the results of their latest research on the role that forests can play in mitigating climate change. Bob Watson, Chief S