- Nasa study shows tropical forests absorb 1.5 billion tonnes of CO2 a year
- Rainforests absorb more than half of CO2 taken up by vegetation globally
- Scientists previously believed tropical forests emitted carbon dioxide
- Researchers claim their findings emphasise the need to protect rainforests from deforestation to help counteract human greenhouse gas emissions
A Nasa-led study has found that tropical forests are absorbing 1.5 billion tons of carbon dioxide every year as they photosynthesise and grow.
And this is far more than is absorbed by the vast areas of boreal forest that encircle the Arctic.
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