Chapter 19, Key Finding 3

Human-driven changes in land cover and land use will continue to be key contributors to carbon cycle changes into the future, both globally and in North America. Globally, land-use change is projected to contribute 10 to 100 petagrams of carbon (Pg C) to the atmosphere by 2050 and between 19 and 205 Pg C by 2100. Conversely, in the United States, land use and land-use change activities are projected to increase carbon stocks in terrestrial ecosystems by about 4 Pg C from 2015 to 2030. This projected increase is primarily driven by the growth of existing forests and management activities that promote ecosystem carbon uptake, often in response to changes in market, policy, and climate (high confidence).