Overview

• Recent research indicates hurricanes could wipe out 5% to 10% of New England's forest carbon with a single storm, undermining carbon offset programs.
• Studies show that a single hurricane can release the equivalent of 10 years' worth of carbon sequestration in New England forests.
• Current carbon market policies are underprepared for the catastrophic risks posed by hurricanes, with less than 3% of carbon credits set aside for such events.
• Increased hurricane intensity, driven by climate change, could result in more severe impacts on forest carbon stocks.
• It could take up to 100 years for downed forest carbon to be fully emitted back into the atmosphere, complicating recovery efforts.