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Updated: Mar 17, 2026

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Published on: October 28, 2022
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Reforestation scenarios shape global and regional temperature outcomes
Nora L S Fahrenbach1, Steven J De Hertog2, Felix Jäger1,3
1Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Summary
Large-scale reforestation offers global cooling benefits, but strategic planting locations are crucial. Optimal placement maximizes climate mitigation by balancing carbon uptake and biogeophysical effects.
Area of Science:
- Climate Science
- Earth System Science
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Reforestation is a key climate change mitigation strategy.
- Its precise global temperature impact is not fully understood.
- Biogeophysical effects can counteract carbon sequestration benefits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically compare temperature responses to different reforestation scenarios.
- To investigate the influence of reforestation location on climate outcomes.
- To quantify net global cooling and regional temperature shifts.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a fully-coupled Earth System Model.
- Simulated three distinct large-scale reforestation potentials.
- Analyzed biogeochemical (carbon uptake) and biogeophysical (albedo, evapotranspiration) impacts.
Main Results:
- Reforestation consistently yields net global cooling (-0.13°C to -0.25°C).
- Strategic reforestation achieves significant cooling with less land.
- Local tropical cooling contrasts with albedo-driven warming in higher latitudes.
Conclusions:
- Planting location critically influences reforestation's climate feedback.
- Non-local effects and feedbacks amplify regional temperature changes.
- Climate-smart policies must prioritize geographical placement for maximum cooling benefits.
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