217 Today: Should the U.S. keep old trees around to store carbon or cut them down? It’s a heated debate

By Kimberly Schofield and Stephanie Mosqueda
December 20, 2023

Timber sale production in the Chatahochee National Forest in Georgia on July 31, 2017. The debate over how many trees the U.S. Forest Service should be eligible for timber harvesting across its nearly 145 million acres of land isn't new. However, the latest version of this discussion is focused on forests ability to capture carbon emissions from entering the atmosphere. Climate activist argue that National Forests should be left alone to grow old.

Photo: Cecilio Ricardo / Forest Service Photos

December 20, 2023

Today’s headlines:

State officials are urging healthcare facilities to step up their efforts to curb the spread of respiratory viruses.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says new rules for buses transporting migrants were aimed at increasing collaboration between city and Texas officials.
Planned Parenthood of Illinois is opening a new health center in Carbondale, which becomes its southernmost clinic in the state.
Some Illinois Catholics say a recent declaration from the Vatican on LGBTQ couples doesn’t do enough to move the church forward.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn how some conservationists argue federal forests should be left alone to soak up carbon emissions. But the Forest Service says older trees will absorb less carbon in the coming decades.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting contributed by Jim Meadows, Owen Henderson, Mawa Iqbal and Rick Brewer.

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