The Amazon rainforest was celebrated for the past several
decades as the "lungs of the Earth," taking in and absorbing several
billion tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) to mitigate global climate change…
Now, in a totally unexpected and alarming twist, sections of
the Amazon are releasing more CO2 than they are storing.
This transformation, owing to human activity and the
degradation of the environment, took a well-accepted carbon sink into a carbon
source, turning towards the climate crisis.
Photo: David Riaño Cortés
Real alarming stuff- a carbon source arises
Research by Brazil's National Institute for Space Research
indicates that sections of the Amazon, particularly in the eastern part, now
emit more CO2 than they absorb. The eastern Amazon, currently deforested (by
about 30%), emits up to 10 times more CO2 than the less disturbed western part
(where only 11% deforestation is reported). Overall, the Amazon now has an
annual net contribution of over 1 billion metric tons of CO2 to the atmosphere-
equivalent to the annual emissions of one or two industrialized nations.
The main culprits are deforestation and human-induced fires
to clear land for agriculture and grazing. They release CO2 but also impair the
ability of a forest to recover and store more carbon. Additionally, rising
temperatures and ongoing drought-the visible symptoms of climate change-strain
trees biologically and limit their ability to take in carbon.
Photo: Khari Hayden
Why This Matters: A Tipping Point for the Planet
The Amazon rainforest spreads over 6.9 million square
kilometers across 40% of South America and has once served as a cornerstone of
the Earth's carbon cycle.
It used to absorb around 2 billion tons of CO2 a year,
serving as a vital bulwark against global warming.
Losing this advantage-and thus changing from being a 'net
sink' to being a 'net emitter'-is an emergency that goes far beyond regional
concerns and is a global crisis.
Deforestation rates are alarmingly high. From 2001 and 2020,
Global Forest Watch recorded 13 million hectares of forest lost from the
Amazon, while recent environmental policy infringements and rising agricultural
commodity demand have accelerated the rate.
The more trees are cut down, the more the ability of the
forest to sequester carbon and regulate the world's weather patterns
diminishes, which leads to a pronounced amplification of climate change on
every corner of the earth.
The Human Cost__ Submerged Communities and Lost
Biodiversity
The problem does stretch beyond CO2 emissions. Entire
communities whose livelihoods depend on the forest will not only be displaced
but also disappear due to ecosystem collapse.
Indigenous groups, the stewards of these biodiverse spaces,
are becoming more vulnerable to land grabs and environmental degradation.
Lost
biodiversity-from rare plants to endangered species-saps away potential
critical medical and ecological innovations.
What Can We Do? The crisis can only be addressed by
global cooperation and immediate action:
1. Protecting Remaining Forests: Strengthening laws against
deforestation and robust support for reforestation can limit CO2 emissions.
2. Support for Indigenous Communities: The leadership of
Indigenous peoples on their lands proves very favorable to reducing
deforestation rate.
3. Supporting Green Consumption: Reduction in demands for
unsustainably sourced commodities like beef and soy can lessen the pressure on
the Amazon.
4. Raising Awareness: Informing the public of the Amazon's
plight could mobilize public and political will for change.
Raise Your Voice: The story of the Amazon is not only
about trees and carbon; it has to do with the future of humanity. Your thought
and action carry importance at this crucial juncture. What do you think can be
done to save the Amazon?
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