Ozone Pollution Significantly Reduces Tropical Forest Growth

New research shows ground-level ozone cuts annual tropical forest growth by 5.1%, impacting carbon capture efforts.

Tropical forests are losing an estimated 290 million tonnes of carbon capture annually due to ozone pollution.
Ground-level ozone, formed from pollutants and sunlight, hampers plants' ability to absorb carbon dioxide.
The reduction in new yearly growth is particularly severe in Asia, with a 10.9% loss.
Urbanization, industrialization, and fossil fuel combustion contribute to increased ozone precursor emissions.
Future forest restoration efforts are disproportionately affected by elevated ozone levels, complicating climate change mitigation.