What could be more festive than carbon storage in snowy evergreen forests?

@geoengineering1 interviews Kevin Bradley D'Souza, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Waterloo, about the real climate potential of reforesting Boreal forests. Kevin explains the crucial role these forests play in carbon storage, biodiversity, and permafrost protection, while noting that reforestation in the Boreal comes with important challenges. The conversation explores key factors such as albedo effects, wildfire risks, and the importance of Indigenous perspectives in forest management. Kevin also stresses the need for careful, multi-dimensional approaches to reforestation and urges caution around commercial forest-based carbon credits, given the scientific uncertainties that still remain.

Papers discussed:

Dsouza, K. B., Ofosu, E., Salkeld, J., Boudreault, R., Moreno-Cruz, J., & Leonenko, Y. (2025). Assessing the climate benefits of afforestation in the Canadian Northern Boreal and Southern Arctic. Nature Communications, 16(1), 1964. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-56699-9

Dsouza, K. B., Ofosu, E., Boudreault, R., Moreno-Cruz, J., & Leonenko, Y. (2025). Substantial carbon removal capacity of Taiga reforestation and afforestation at Canada’s boreal edge. Communications Earth & Environment, 6(1), 893. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02822-z

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