Subscribe now

Environment

Hurricane damage to forests could release huge amount of stored carbon

A study modelling the impact of a major hurricane in New England suggests carbon-offsetting schemes are greatly underestimating the risks posed by storms

By Michael Le Page

27 December 2023

A fallen tree in Maine after Hurricane Lee swept through the region in September

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

A single hurricane hitting New England could result in the release of more than a tenth of all the carbon stored in the area’s forests, according to a modelling study. The findings show that carbon-offsetting schemes greatly underestimate the risks posed by hurricanes, says Shersingh Joseph Tumber-Dávila at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire.

The forests of New England – which includes Connecticut, Maine,…

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox! We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

View introductory offers

No commitment, cancel anytime*

Offer ends 28th October 2023.

*Cancel anytime within 14 days of payment to receive a refund on unserved issues.

Inclusive of applicable taxes (VAT)

or

Existing subscribers

Sign in to your account