The Aral Sea, once one of the world's largest lakes, has largely dried up due to irrigation projects. The exposed lakebed is now a major source of carbon emissions. As the salt and sediment dry out, they release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that were previously trapped underwater. Scientists estimate the dried bed could release millions of tons of CO2 annually, adding a significant new source of emissions to the global carbon budget. This creates a feedback loop where climate change worsens the drying, which in turn releases more carbon. The article highlights a largely overlooked climate threat from ecological disasters. It raises questions about whether restoration efforts or other interventions could slow or stop these emissions, and how this fits into national carbon accounting for the region.
