Negative Emissions Backfire: Earth's Carbon Sinks Become Sources, Threatening Climate Goals
Global carbon cycle responds to negative emissions by initially turning carbon sinks into sources, with land and ocean releasing carbon. The ocean recovers as a carbon sink within decades, while the land remains a carbon source. Land carbon stock decreases but stays higher than initial levels. Ocean carbon inventory undergoes irreversible changes due to human CO2 accumulation, taking centuries to naturally remove.