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Title: Carbon emissions and sequestration in forests: Case studies from seven developing countries. Volume 2, Greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon

Creator/Author Makundi, W. ; Sathaye, J. [eds.] [Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (United States)] ; Fearnside, P.M. [Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazonia (INPA), Manaus, AM (Brazil). Departmento de Ecologia]

Publication Date1992 Aug 01

OSTI Identifier: OSTI ID: 10180014; Legacy ID: DE93001526

Report Number(s)LBL--32758

DOE Contract NumberAC03-76SF00098

DOI10.2172/10180014

Other Number(s)Other: ON: DE93001526

Resource Type: Technical Report

Resource Relation: Other Information: PBD: Aug 1992

Coverage Topical

Research Org: Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (United States); Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC (United States). Climate Change Div.

Sponsoring Org: Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC (United States)

Subject: 54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; 29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY AND ECONOMY; BRAZIL; DEFORESTATION; ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS; TIME DEPENDENCE; GREENHOUSE EFFECT; GREENHOUSE GASES; CARBON DIOXIDE; CARBON MONOXIDE; METHANE; NITROUS OXIDE; NITROGEN OXIDES; HYDROCARBONS; RECOMMENDATIONS; EMISSION

Description/Abstract: Deforestation in Brazilian Amazonia in 1990 was releasing approximately 281--282 X 10{sup 6} metric tons (MT) of carbon on conversion to a landscape of agriculture, productive pasture, degraded pasture, secondary forest and regenerated forest in the proportions corresponding to the equilibrium condition implied by current land-use patterns. Emissions are expressed as ``committed carbon,`` or the carbon released over a period of years as the carbon stock in each hectare deforested approaches a new equilibrium in the landscape that replaces the original forest. To the extent that deforestation rates have remained constant, current releases from the areas deforested in previous years will be equal to the future releases from the areas being cleared now. Considering the quantities of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane, nitrous oxide, NO{sub x} and non-methane hydrocarbons released raises the impact by 22--37%. The relative impact on the greenhouse effect of each gas is based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) calculations over a 20-year time period (including indirect effects).

The six gases considered have a combined global warming impact equivalent to 343 to 386 million MT of C0{sub 2}-equivalent carbon, depending on assumptions regarding the release of methane and other gases from the various sources such as burning and termites.

These emissions represent 7--8 times the 50 million MT annual carbon release from Brazil’s use of fossil fuels, but bring little benefit to the country.

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**** Stopping deforestation in Brazil would prevent as much greenhouse emission as tripling the fuel efficiency of all the automobiles in the world. ****

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The relatively cheap measures needed to contain deforestation, together with the many complementary benefits of doing so, make this the first priority for funds intended to slow global warming.

Country of Publication: United States

Language: English

Format Size: 73 p.

Availability OSTI; NTIS; INIS; GPO Dep.

System Entry Date2008 Mar 06