Plain language summary:

According to a new study from Yale University, climate change could lead to a decrease in the biomass of tropical forests, resulting in an increase in carbon emissions that could accelerate global warming. The research team used historical data and satellite maps to study above-ground biomass in the tropics of South America, Africa, and Asia. They found that if greenhouse gas emissions from human activity are higher, losses of stored carbon could nearly double by 2100. The researchers hope that these findings will help strengthen the case for current climate policy initiatives, such as the Paris Climate Agreement, that seek to limit global warming and preserve tropical forests.