New book urges broader strategy to strengthen forest carbon sinks

A new book by Finnish scientist Pekka Kauppi argues that forests can still play a major role in slowing climate change, but only if governments also tackle energy, food, industry and data systems. Kauppi says improved forest management, especially in India and China, could help boost carbon storage while reducing pressure on land.

Why it matters: - Forests already absorb billions of tons of carbon each year, and Kauppi argues that stronger forest carbon sinks could still deliver a meaningful climate benefit. - The book says the world can increase that benefit without cutting wood use, if policies raise timber yields and reduce land pressure. - Kauppi argues that the biggest climate gains may come from changes outside forests, including energy, food and industrial systems.

What happened: - Pekka Kauppi released a new book, 8 Ways to Improve the Forest Carbon Sink, through Into Kustannus in Helsinki in 2026. - The book updates Kauppi's long-running work on forest carbon sinks and climate change. - Kauppi was part of the group of 30 experts that helped lay the groundwork for the IPCC at meetings in Villach, Austria, in 1982 and 1983. - Kauppi also served as chairman of the IPCC forestry working group.

The details: - Kauppi's 1992 Science article, Biomass and Carbon Budget of European Forests, 1971-1990, helped answer the