| Trusted research, data & insights for a better world for people, nature & climate |
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Photo by Loren McIntyre/Alamy |
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In a typical year, forests and plants soak up almost a third of all carbon dioxide that humans emit from burning fossil fuels. But this critical “carbon sink” is rapidly shrinking. In 2023 and 2024, forests absorbed only one-quarter of the carbon they do in an average year and emitted far more greenhouse gases than normal. Massive wildfires around the globe were largely to blame.
This narrowing gap suggests that forests could soon shift from a net carbon sink to a net carbon source, with catastrophic impacts on people and the planet. Indeed, some forests have already tipped over the line. We analyze how this trend is playing out around the globe and what can be done to halt it. |
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| For cities grappling with increasingly intense summer heat, some of the most powerful solutions are hiding in plain sight. Those on the leading edge are showing that seemingly simple changes — like painting roofs or planting trees — can have a dramatic impact on temperatures. |
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Photo by Jochen Tack/Alamy Stock Photo |
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The nascent deep-sea mining industry remains in limbo, after the International Seabed Authority (ISA) wrapped its latest meeting on July 21 without finalizing long-awaited regulations. Yet some are already vying for access to ocean minerals, despite vast uncertainty about how seabed mining could affect ocean health. |
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Photo by Susan Vineyard/iStock |
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Recent power outages driven by extreme heat are a signal that the United States urgently needs to modernize its faltering electricity grid. But how, when a single new power line often takes a decade to build? In the near-term, the answer could lie in advanced transmission technologies. |
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Our latest analysis shows which forests are still strong carbon storehouses — and which have already become a net source of planet-warming emissions. |
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| WRI's 2025 summer reading list is here!😎🌍
Our in-house librarians and staff have curated a powerful list of books that explore climate science, environmental justice, conservation and hope for the future.
Whether you're a researcher, policymaker or lifelong learner, these reads will challenge your thinking and inspire action. |
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WRI’s Data Lab is launching a newsletter highlighting technical insights behind WRI’s digital products, new data and tools, and emerging tech topics like responsible use of AI. |
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July 30, 2025 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM EDT, Online
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August 07, 2025 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM EDT
| August 13, 2025 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM EDT, Online
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