Why Do Forests Absorb More Carbon Dioxide Than Cities?

Forests are like big, green lungs that help people breathe by taking in carbon dioxide and giving out oxygen. Trees do this all day long through a process called photosynthesis. In cities, there are lots of buildings, cars, and machines that burn fuel, which gives off more carbon dioxide, making the air feel stuffy.

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  1. A forest takes in a lot of carbon dioxide like it’s drinking water. A city produces more than it absorbs, like a soda can that keeps bursting.
  2. Imagine trees are like sponges soaking up air while cars are like machines blowing out air.
  3. In a city, every time you start your car, it releases more carbon dioxide into the air, but in a forest, trees quietly take some of it back.

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