Carbon Mitigation and Climate Change Through Forest Management

Book excerpt: Global climate change is a widespread and growing concern that has led to extensive international discussions and negotiations. Responses to this concern have focused on reducing emissions of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide, and on measuring carbon absorbed by and stored in forests, soils, and oceans. One option for slowing the rise of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere, and thus possible climate change, is to increase the amount of carbon removed by and stored in forests. This book examines the issues of carbon sequestration in forests. Also discussed are the existing federal programs that could affect forest carbon sequestration.