A new study shows that as global temperatures rise, plants are losing some of their natural ability to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The research found that heat stress is causing plant leaves to warm up, which slows down photosynthesis and reduces the amount of CO2 they can capture. This feedback loop could weaken one of the planet's main natural carbon sinks. The findings have direct implications for climate models and carbon offset projects that rely on forest and vegetation growth to meet net zero targets. If plants absorb less carbon than expected, the gap between projected and actual atmospheric CO2 levels could widen. Policymakers and carbon market participants may need to adjust their assumptions about how much land-based carbon removal can realistically deliver. For anyone tracking carbon credits or nature-based solutions, this study is a reminder that physical climate risks can undermine the expected performance of those assets. The research adds to a growing body of evidence that warming itself reduces the effectiveness of natural carbon sequestration.
