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> When the tree dies, it will release 99% of the stored carbon back to the atmosphere. It's not the tree which does that. It's the organisms consuming the tree

> When the tree dies, it will release 99% of the stored carbon back to the atmosphere. It's not the tree which does that. It's the organisms consuming the tree during the decomposition process which do that. And that doesn't happen all at once. Indeed, if you grow another tree then you're likely to still be net-positive. If you use the tree for other purposes -- construction, for example. Or burning for energy production -- then it becomes a useful part of the lifecycle.

ska 7y ago
> Or burning for energy production Doesn't that just release the C02 again? Construction purposes might help, or any other way of sequestering.
- ac29 7y ago
  Yes, but its net-zero carbon, so still an improvement over using fossil fuels.
  - robocat 7y ago
    Net-zero CO2. Probably other factors are small, but hard to predict (particulates, volatile chemicals, other effects of growth). Might be positive or negative.
  - ska 7y ago
    Fair, so that implies it doesn't really help, but at least isn't actively making things worse.