đź•’ Last updated on September 30, 2025
The Amazon rainforest, known as the “lungs of the Earth,” absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen. Surprisingly, instead of weakening from climate change, many trees are getting larger. Over recent decades, their trunks have thickened, fueled by rising CO₂ levels. While excess CO₂ harms people and the planet, trees treat it as food—growing bigger and storing more carbon.
Trees Growing Like Never Before
A large group of plant experts studied nearly 200 different forest areas across the Amazon. These areas were watched closely from 1971 to 2015. In this long study, scientists measured each tree’s basal area, which is simply how wide a tree’s trunk is at the bottom. This helped them track how much space trees were taking up on the forest floor.
They found that trees of all sizes—small, medium, and large—have been growing 3.3% thicker every decade. This steady growth has continued for more than 40 years.
At first, experts were not sure how trees would react to more COâ‚‚.. Some believed only the big trees would benefit because they already have more sunlight and deeper roots. Others thought small trees would grow faster, as they need resources more desperately. But in reality, every tree seems to be gaining size together, sharing the benefits.
Even more surprising, none of the forest areas showed a decline in growth. That means that—at least for now—trees are winning against the harsh effects of climate change.
Bigger Trees, Bigger Carbon Storage
Why does tree growth matter so much? Because fatter trees can store more carbon. Every time a tree absorbs COâ‚‚ from the air, it locks that carbon into its trunk, branches, and leaves. This helps slow down global warming.
The largest trees are especially important. Some of them can store hundreds of kilograms of carbon in their trunks alone. When these trees grow thicker, they act like giant carbon vaults, safely trapping harmful gases that would otherwise stay in the air.
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This natural process acts like a shield against climate change. Even though the planet is heating up, these forests are doing their best to fight back by absorbing extra COâ‚‚ and turning it into wood.
However, experts warn that this growth may not continue forever. Too much heat, lack of water, wildfires, or storms could eventually slow down tree growth or even cause more tree deaths. But in areas that are kept safe and untouched by humans, trees continue to thrive strongly.
Keeping the Forest Intact Is Key
The growth boost mainly comes from undisturbed parts of the Amazon, where forests are allowed to grow naturally without cutting or burning. In these safe zones, trees can fully use the extra COâ‚‚ to grow stronger and thicker.
This shows how important it is to leave forests untouched. As long as the Amazon remains standing, it will keep absorbing carbon and protecting the planet. But if trees are cut down or burned, the stored carbon is released back into the air, making things worse.
The Amazon rainforest is sending a powerful message—”Help us stay alive, and we will help protect the Earth.” Even though climate change is dangerous, the forest is still fighting back in its own way. Each thicker tree trunk is proof that nature is not giving up. It is adapting, growing, and standing strong.
For now, the Amazon remains one of the world’s greatest defenders against rising CO₂ levels—not by shrinking under pressure, but by bulking up like a champion.