Carbon is stored in trees, plants, soil and fossil fuels.
When trees, plants or fossil fuels are burned, carbon dioxide, a potent greenhouse gas, is released. Reducing carbon dioxide emissions through reducing fossil fuel emissions and forest destruction are two major ways of reducing the global warming threat. Eight of the ten hottest years of the 20th century occurred during the '90s, and virtually every month of 1998 set a record for being the hottest respective month on record. Most recently, the period from January through April 2000 was the hottest such period on record. By recognizing the link between forest conservation and climate change, this bill focuses on a creative, and environmentally beneficial way to address one aspect of the problem of global warming.