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Comment
. 2019 Jun;25(6):1889-1890.
doi: 10.1111/gcb.14612. Epub 2019 Mar 22.

We need both natural and energy solutions to stabilize our climate

Bronson W Griscom  1 , Guy Lomax  1 , Timm Kroeger  1 , Joseph E Fargione  1 , Justin Adams  2 , Lucy Almond  1 , Deborah Bossio  1 , Susan C Cook-Patton  1 , Peter W Ellis  1 , Christina M Kennedy  1 , Joseph Kiesecker  1
Affiliations
Comment

We need both natural and energy solutions to stabilize our climate

Bronson W Griscom et al. Glob Chang Biol. 2019 Jun.

Abstract

We respond to concerns raised by Baldocchi and Penuelas who question the potential for ecosystems to provide carbon sinks and storage, and conclude that we should focus on decarbonizing our energy systems. While we agree with many of their concerns, we arrive at a different conclusion: we need strong action to advance both clean energy solutions and natural climate solutions (NCS) if we are to stabilize warming well below 2°C. Cost-effective NCS can deliver 11.3 PgCO2 e yr-1 or ~30% of near-term climate mitigation needs through protection, improved management, and restoration of ecosystems, as we increase overall ambition.

Keywords: climate change; fossil fuel emissions; land use; natural climate solutions; terrestrial ecosystems.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors listed above have no conflict of interest to declare.

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