There are two ways of reducing the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. We can emit less CO2 – and we can remove CO2 from the atmosphere and store it. Trees can do both! Forests have a key role in regulating the climate, because trees by their photosynthesis absorb CO2 from the atmosphere and store carbon as wood and organic matter in the soil. Photosynthesis
Using the energy from sunlight green leaves absorb CO2 from the air. Inside the leaf cells CO2 is bound together with water and converted into the sugar substance glucose. Glucose is transformed by the tree to wood, branches, fruit, leaves, roots etc. In this way, CO2 is bound inside the tree as carbon. There is only one waste substance – oxygen.
Photosynthesis: CO2 + Water + Sunlight → Sugar + Oxygen
