New research published today in the journal, Nature, shows that Australia's rainforests are the first in the world to switch from absorbing carbon dioxide to emitting it.

Globally, forests alongside oceans and soils act as carbon sinks, absorbing about half of all human-generated emissions.

The findings raise concerns about future carbon reduction models that rely on these natural carbon sinks to offset emissions.

• Guest: Dr Hannah Carle, researcher Western Sydney University's Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment
• Producer: Eddy Diamond