80% of North American Forests at Risk from Climate‑Driven Pests

A University of British Columbia‑led study warns that more than 80 % of North American forests could face intensified pest and disease pressures by the middle of the century. The research links unchecked global emissions to rising temperatures and altered rainfall patterns, both of which create conditions that favor the spread and severity of tree pathogens and insect outbreaks. The projected shift threatens the continent’s largest carbon sinks, potentially reducing their ability to absorb atmospheric CO₂.

The findings highlight cascading impacts on air quality and the forestry economy. As forests become more vulnerable, the capacity to sequester carbon and filter pollutants is diminished, while the timber industry risks higher losses from tree mortality and reduced growth rates. The study calls for urgent mitigation of emissions and proactive forest management strategies to safeguard these ecological and economic assets.