Arizona State University (ASU) SOS110 Sustainable World Final Practice Exam

Deforestation has a significant impact on climate change primarily by releasing stored carbon dioxide and disrupting ecosystems. Forests act as carbon sinks, meaning they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in the form of biomass (including trees, plants, and soil). When forests are cut down, this stored carbon is released back into the atmosphere, primarily as carbon dioxide, which is a potent greenhouse gas. This increase in carbon emissions contributes to the greenhouse effect, leading to global warming and climate change.

Additionally, deforestation disrupts ecosystems, leading to biodiversity loss and altered water cycles, which can further exacerbate climate imbalances. The removal of trees not only reduces the capacity to sequester carbon but also affects local climates, soil health, and the overall environmental stability of the area. Thus, the primary consequence of deforestation in the context of climate change is the release of stored carbon and the resulting alterations to ecosystems that depend on such forests.