The Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska is the largest remaining old-growth temperate rainforest in the United States, spanning 16.7 million acres. It stores more carbon than any other national forest in the country, holding roughly a fifth of all carbon banked across the entire national forest system. This makes it a critical natural climate solution, locking away carbon that took centuries to accumulate. The forest's carbon storage capacity is tied to its ancient trees, some over 800 years old, and its dense biomass per acre. However, its protected status remains uncertain as the 2001 Roadless Rule, which shields 9 million acres from logging, has been repeatedly challenged. The outcome of current policy decisions will determine whether this carbon vault remains intact or becomes a source of emissions.
