Carbon dioxide released from burning fossil fuels is the main culprit behind global warming. But it could be absorbed by a large enough number of trees. Another alternative is to replace fossil fuels with solar panels. Which of these two options is more effective? In a new study, the answer to this question has been sought.
The research was carried out by Rafael Stern’s team, from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel.
In the study, Stern and his colleagues investigated which land use (trees or solar panels) more quickly offsets the heat gain they produce due to surface darkening.
The authors of the study measured the surface albedo on a plot of land occupied by solar panels and located in a hyper-arid region of Israel.
They made measurements of other types in a forest on the northern edge of the Negev Desert.
The results of the study indicate that in semi-arid lands, photovoltaic fields reach the equilibrium point and begin to offer climate change mitigation benefits after about 2.5 years, that is, more than fifty times faster than afforestation.
In humid lands, the difference is not so great, but solar panels still have an advantage.
The authors of the study clarify, however, that forests can provide many benefits beyond climate change mitigation, including ecosystem, climate regulation and social services.
The study is titled “Photovoltaic fields largely outperform afforestation efficiency in global climate change mitigation strategies.” And it has been published in the academic journal PNAS Nexus.
Fuente: NCYT de Amazings)
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Nge benefits faster than reforested areas. Specifically, the study found that the land occupied by solar panels can offset the heat gain caused by their dark surfaces more quickly than areas planted with trees. This suggests that in the context of combating global warming, investing in solar energy infrastructure may be a more immediate solution compared to reforestation efforts.
Furthermore, while both methods have their benefits in addressing climate change, the study highlights the importance of considering the specific characteristics of the land in question. In hyper-arid regions like the one studied, solar panels may provide a more viable option for reducing overall warming effects compared to planting trees, which can take years or even decades to mature and begin absorbing significant amounts of carbon dioxide.
Ultimately, the findings of Stern’s team underscore the necessity of integrating renewable energy solutions into climate action strategies, particularly in areas where traditional reforestation may not be as effective or practical. The balance between enhancing carbon capture through tree planting and deploying clean energy technologies such as solar panels will be crucial in the fight against climate change.