Burying wood from managed forests could slash atmospheric carbon and cool the planet, according to a new Cornell-led study published in Nature Geoscience. Researchers estimate the method could remove up to 937 gigatons of CO₂ over 76 years and reduce global temperatures by as much as 0.42°C.
Instead of letting wood decay or burn, burying it two meters deep preserves its carbon for centuries. The process is low-cost, sustainable, and could even help the U.S. reach net-zero emissions by 2050 if widely adopted.
Cornell scientists are now exploring this approach locally, studying its effects on soil health and its potential for wildfire risk reduction and carbon credit revenue.
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