What phenomenon is both a cause and a consequence of climate change, contributing to a vicious circle?

Deforestation

Deforestation plays a complex role in climate change, acting both as a cause and a consequence. On one hand, trees capture CO2, a greenhouse gas, during photosynthesis. Cutting them down releases this stored CO2 into the atmosphere, thereby increasing greenhouse gas concentrations. On the other hand, climate change can exacerbate deforestation by increasing the frequency and intensity of forest fires and droughts, thus destroying more trees. This cycle creates a positive feedback that accelerates global warming, making the protection and restoration of forests imperative in the fight against climate change.