New study warns damage to forests from climate change could cost the planet its major keeper of greenhouse gases

At UN forum on forests, scientists release analysis showing forests at risk of becoming net sources of carbon instead of net sinks

		IMAGE: Efforts to manage tropical forests more sustainably must take into account the complex relationships between the welfare of local people and global concerns such as climate change. Click here for more information.

New York (17 April 2009) –The critical role of forests as massive "sinks" for absorbing greenhouse gases is "at risk of being lost entirely" to climate change-induced environmental stresses that threaten to damage and even decimate forests worldwide, according to a new report released today. The report will be formally presented at the next session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) taking place 20 April-1 May 2009 at the UN Headquarters in New York City.