Forests don’t just store carbon. They keep people alive, scientists say – news – Mongabay

Report on the Role of Forests in Climate Adaptation and Sustainable Development

Introduction

Forests play a critical role in influencing climate beyond carbon storage. A recent academic review published in Science highlights how forests contribute to cooling the air, moderating extreme temperatures, and regulating water flows, directly impacting human well-being. These functions align closely with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

Key Findings on Forests and Climate Regulation

1. Local Climate Moderation:
   • Intact forests create cooler microclimates, stabilizing rainfall and supporting agriculture, health, and daily life.
   • Daytime temperatures inside forests average about 4°C lower than nearby cleared areas; tropical forests can exceed 6°C cooling.
   • Urban trees reduce air temperatures by approximately 1.5–1.7°C on sunny days, mitigating heat stress.
2. Impact of Deforestation:
   • Clearing forests leads to hotter, drier conditions, increasing heat stress and related health risks for large populations.
   • Forest loss in tropical regions exposes hundreds of millions to higher temperatures, contributing to tens of thousands of heat-related deaths annually.
   • Local warming from deforestation can rival or exceed global climate change effects over similar periods.
3. Water Regulation:
   • Forests intercept rainfall, enhance groundwater recharge, and return moisture to the atmosphere through evapotranspiration.
   • In humid regions, forests reduce flood risk and stabilize streamflows, supporting SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).
   • In drier areas, expanded tree cover may reduce downstream water availability, indicating the need for context-specific forest management.

Forests as Climate Infrastructure

Forests serve as natural climate infrastructure by moderating heat, managing water, and shaping local weather patterns. These ecosystem services support human adaptation to climate change, complementing mitigation efforts focused on carbon sequestration (SDG 13).

• Forests help narrow temperature extremes, providing cooler afternoons and milder nights.
• They contribute to atmospheric processes by emitting organic compounds that form aerosols and clouds, influencing precipitation patterns.
• Protecting and restoring native forests maximizes climate adaptation benefits and biodiversity conservation (SDG 15).

Implications for Sustainable Development and Policy

The review underscores the importance of integrating forest conservation and restoration into climate adaptation strategies. Key implications include:

1. Enhancing Human Health and Well-being (SDG 3):
   • Forests reduce heat stress and associated health risks by lowering local temperatures during heatwaves.
2. Supporting Climate Resilience (SDG 13):
   • Forest protection offers cost-effective adaptation benefits compared to engineered solutions such as seawalls and cooling systems.
3. Water Resource Management (SDG 6):
   • Maintaining forest ecosystems stabilizes water cycles, reducing flood risks and supporting sustainable water supplies.
4. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health (SDG 15):
   • Restoring native forests supports biodiversity and ecosystem services critical for sustainable development.

Contextual Considerations and Limitations

• Forests provide the greatest benefits when conserved or restored in their native ecosystems; afforestation in non-native areas may cause warming effects.
• Forests cannot fully counteract global warming trends; temperatures continue to rise even under dense canopy cover.
• Poorly planned afforestation may strain water resources or disrupt existing ecosystems, highlighting the need for careful management.

Case Studies and Evidence

• Research from Borneo demonstrates that forest loss correlates with rising temperatures, increased heat extremes, and reduced rainfall, emphasizing the role of forests in local climate stability.
• Studies estimate that tropical deforestation contributes significantly to heat-related mortality, reinforcing the health benefits of forest conservation.

Conclusion

Forests are vital for both mitigating climate change and enabling human adaptation, providing ecosystem services that engineering solutions cannot easily replicate. Their protection and restoration support multiple Sustainable Development Goals, including climate action, health, water security, and biodiversity conservation. Integrating forest-based strategies into climate policies is essential for sustainable development and human well-being in a warming world.

References

• Reek, J.E., et al. (2026). More than mitigation: The role of forests in climate adaptation. Science, 391(6786). DOI:10.1126/science.ads4361
• Reddington, C.L., et al. (2025). Tropical deforestation is associated with considerable heat-related mortality. Nature Climate Change, 15, 992–999.
• McAlpine, C.A., et al. (2018). Forest loss and Borneo’s climate. Environmental Research Letters, 13(4), 044009.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article

1. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The article discusses forests as a critical component in climate mitigation and adaptation, highlighting their role in regulating temperature, stabilizing rainfall, and reducing heat stress.
2. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Focus on protecting and restoring forests and natural ecosystems to maintain biodiversity and ecosystem services.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Forests help reduce heat stress and associated health risks, thus contributing to better health outcomes.
4. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • Forests influence water cycles by intercepting rainfall, enhancing infiltration, and stabilizing streamflows, which affect water availability and quality.
5. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Urban trees provide cooling effects that improve living conditions in cities.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified Based on the Article’s Content

1. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.
   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
2. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Target 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.
   • Target 15.2: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.9: Reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.
4. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • Target 6.6: Protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes.
5. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.7: Provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article to Measure Progress Towards the Identified Targets

1. Temperature Regulation and Heat Stress Reduction
   • Average temperature differences between forested and deforested or urban areas (e.g., 4°C cooler daytime temperatures inside forests, 1.5–1.7°C cooler urban tree areas).
   • Apparent temperature reductions during heat events inside forests (6–14.5°C lower).
   • Heat-related mortality rates linked to deforestation.
2. Forest Cover and Restoration
   • Extent of native forest cover and restoration efforts.
   • Rates of deforestation and afforestation.
3. Water Cycle and Quality
   • Measures of rainfall interception, infiltration rates, groundwater recharge, and streamflow stability.
   • Downstream water availability in different climatic contexts.
4. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health
   • Indicators of ecosystem stability and biodiversity in forested versus deforested areas.
5. Urban Green Space Accessibility
   • Temperature measurements in urban green spaces.
   • Access to green spaces for urban populations.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: news.mongabay.com