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Basic InformationForestry and agricultural activities are widely recognized as potential greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation options. Activities in forestry and agriculture can reduce and avoid the atmospheric buildup of the three most important GHGs directly emitted by human actions: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). CO2 is the gaseous form of carbon bound with oxygen atoms. The removal of atmospheric CO2 through sequestration in carbon "sinks" is a mitigation option in forestry and agriculture that has received particular attention. Sequestration is defined as the process of increasing the carbon content of a carbon pool other than the atmosphere. Carbon pools in forestry and agriculture include tree biomass (roughly 50% carbon), soils and wood products. A carbon pool is a sink if, over a certain time interval, more carbon is flowing into the pool than is flowing out of the pool. Likewise, a carbon pool can be a net source of CO2 emissions if less carbon is flowing into the pool than is flowing out of the pool. Individual carbon sequestration and GHG mitigation options in forestry and agriculture include:
EPA is conducting and supporting analyses in this area. This includes assessing the carbon sequestration and GHG mitigation potential for U.S. forestry and agriculture, conducting annual inventories of sequestration rates and emissions, assessing project-based activities and issues, exploring international opportunities, and identifying co-benefits of these forestry and agricultural activities. This Web site provides information on these subjects. The links provided in this Web site can also direct you to what other key agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of Energy, are pursuing in this area.
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