An expansion of Europe's forests towards dark green conifers has stoked global warming, according to a study on Thursday at odds with a widespread view that planting more trees helps human efforts to slow rising temperatures.

Forest changes have nudged Europe's summer temperatures up by 0.12 C since 1750, largely because many nations have planted conifers such as pines and spruce whose dark colour traps the sun's heat, the scientists said.

Lighter-coloured broad-leafed trees, such as oak or birch, reflect more sunlight back into space but have lost ground to fast-growing conifers, used for everything from building materials to pulp.

Overall, the area of Europe's forests has expanded by 10 per cent since 1750.

Forest changes have nudged Europe's summer temperatures up by 0.12 C since 1750

Forests worldwide are at 'equally high risk' to die-off from drought conditions, warns a new study published this week in the journal Nature. With drought conditions increasing around the globe due to climate change and deforestation, the research suggests large swathes of the world's forests — and the services they afford — may be approaching a tipping point.

They have? And by exactly 0.12C? And how do we know this very precise figure?

I just love how these fuckwits publish total bullshit like this and then so many willing fools eagerly eat it up as if it were the Word of God Himself.

They have? And by exactly 0.12C? And how do we know this very precise figure?

I just love how these fuckwits publish total bullshit like this and then so many willing fools eagerly eat it up as if it were the Word of God Himself.

I assume there's a lot of Math involved. They could be correct.

so many willing fools eagerly eat it up as if it were the Word of God Himself.