How big trees store carbon

In the summer of 2024, I worked with environmental reporter Lynda Mapes to produce a novel, conceptual illustration of evergreen photosynthesis—from trees to cells to chloroplasts. Mature and old-growth forests play a crucial role in combating climate change by acting as significant carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide and storing more carbon per unit area than young trees. The Seattle Times published this illustrated infographic in the main story, “Forest Feud,” on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, and on the following Monday in a science sidebar. Alternate formats were created for print, online, and mobile.

“Forest Feud” is a Topical Reporting: Climate Change winner in the 2025 Online Journalism Awards. The illustration was also awarded 2nd Place Graphic in the 2024 SPJ NW Excellence in Journalism Contest, and accepted into the juried 2025 GNSI Annual Exhibit. #illustrator #designer #graphicdesigner