Reforestation in Eastern US Provided Cooling Effect During 20th Century Warming

Summary

A new study published in Earth's Future reveals that a century of reforestation in the eastern United States likely helped keep the region cool while the rest of the country warmed during the 20th century. Researchers found that restored forests contributed to cooling through increased evapotranspiration and changes in albedo, with the cooling effect being most pronounced in the southeast. The study suggests that reforestation could be a valuable climate mitigation strategy, though its effectiveness varies by region and climate conditions.