> Trees are not the only place carbon is sequestered in a forest
Trees are not the only part of the amazonian ecosystem, but I'm pretty sure trees outweigh other parts of the amazonian ecosystem by a significant ratio. I think the calculation probably suffices as a back of the envelope estimation.
> I’m not sure what your point is that you are making other than you imply that we don’t need to save the tropics because fossil fuels are worse; but I heartedly disagree with that implication.
Removing tropical rainforest would be disastrous, but not because of impact on global CO2 levels. (Its effects on CO2 levels would not be helpful but wouldn't be among the worst consequences). Among other reasons, it would significantly alter global weather patterns and cause massive damage to ecosystems across the globe.
I think the point is that even an ecosystem as massive and influential as the amazon can't even make a dent in the amount of CO2 that is being produced by human activity.
Trees are not the only part of the amazonian ecosystem, but I'm pretty sure trees outweigh other parts of the amazonian ecosystem by a significant ratio. I think the calculation probably suffices as a back of the envelope estimation.
> I’m not sure what your point is that you are making other than you imply that we don’t need to save the tropics because fossil fuels are worse; but I heartedly disagree with that implication.
Removing tropical rainforest would be disastrous, but not because of impact on global CO2 levels. (Its effects on CO2 levels would not be helpful but wouldn't be among the worst consequences). Among other reasons, it would significantly alter global weather patterns and cause massive damage to ecosystems across the globe.
I think the point is that even an ecosystem as massive and influential as the amazon can't even make a dent in the amount of CO2 that is being produced by human activity.