Hiilenvarastot

Hiilenvarastot, or carbon stocks, refer to the amount of carbon stored in various reservoirs on Earth. These reservoirs include the atmosphere, oceans, terrestrial ecosystems (forests, soils, peatlands), and fossil fuels. The balance of carbon between these stocks is crucial for regulating Earth's climate.

Atmospheric carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas, is a key component of these stocks. Its concentration has significantly increased due to human activities, primarily the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation. This increase leads to global warming.

Oceans are the largest active carbon sink, absorbing a substantial amount of atmospheric CO2. However, this absorption causes ocean acidification, which can harm marine life. Terrestrial ecosystems, particularly forests and soils, also store vast quantities of carbon. Deforestation and land-use changes can release this stored carbon back into the atmosphere.

Peatlands are particularly important carbon stores, holding more carbon than all the world's forests combined. Their preservation is vital for climate regulation. Fossil fuels, formed over millions of years from ancient organic matter, represent a massive, long-term carbon stock. Their extraction and combustion are the primary drivers of current atmospheric carbon increases.

Understanding and monitoring these carbon stocks are essential for developing effective climate change mitigation strategies. Efforts to reduce emissions, enhance carbon sequestration through afforestation and sustainable land management, and protect existing carbon sinks are critical for stabilizing the global carbon cycle and limiting climate change.