The world has lost the record area of tropical forests, especially in Brazil due to large flames caused by climate change.
Large fire forest fires, boosted by climate changes, led to the recording of forest losses in 2024. It stated in the annual report of the Institute of World Resources (WRI) and the University of Maryland, reported Reuters on Wednesday, May 21.
According to the data, only the losses of tropical forests reached 6.7 million hectares – 80% more than 2023. It was a territory in Panama size. The main reason has not yet occurred a fire in Brazil, which in November will receive a global climatic summit in Belen.
“The signals we see in this data are especially stressful,” said Matthew Hansen, the CO -Director of the University of Maryland’s laboratory laboratory, reviewing satellite data. – “It’s scary that climatic challenges can exceed our ability to respond effectively.”
This year, for the first time in the report, the fires became the main cause of the loss of tropical forests. It is a stressful line for wet ecosystems, which is naturally not characterized by a fire.
Brazil, which holds the largest area of tropical forests around the world, has lost 2.8 million hectares, which has become a record in countries. It broke the positive dynamics, recorded in 2023 after the arrival of President Lula and Silva, who pledged to protect Amazonia.
“This has never happened, which means we will need to adapt our whole policy to a new reality,” said Andre Lima, who is responsible for the fight against cutting forests in the Brazil Ministry of Environment. – “Flames that have not been previously among the major causes of forest loss have been a priority for the government.”
Bolivia has become the second largest forest loss in the countries of the tropical belt, despite the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The loss of forests in Bolivia increased by 200% – due to drought, fire and state support for agricultural expansion.
A similar dynamics were recorded in Mexico, Peru, Nicaragua and Guatemala.
At the same time, armed conflicts in Colombia and other Congo also contributed to the growth of deforestation, as militants used natural resources for their own support.
Boreal forests, which are naturally characterized by periods of fire, have also suffered. Canada and Russia have lost 5.2 million hectares of forest each – this is the highest indicator for the history of observations.
However, against the background of a global crisis, Malaysia, Laos and Indonesia are positive examples, which, thanks to the efforts of the authorities, communities and businesses, it is possible to reduce forest losses.
Another exception is the territory of the indigenous people of Charagua Iambai in Bolivia, which managed to stop the spread of fire due to the effective use of land and early warning systems.
“It’s even more worthwhile to cut off forests than to maintain them,” said Rod Taylor, director of the WRI Forest Global Program. – “I like the countries at the Climatic Summit in Belen who have taken steps to introduce the best mechanisms for the funding of nature.”
Remember that the tropical forests of the Amazons can be a dry plain, where rare bushes will grow, which by 2064. This will happen not only because of the climate, but also the human participation, the professor of the University of Florida Robert Walker.
Amazon’s forests by 38% destroyed by humans – scientists
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Source: korrespondent
I am Ben Stock, a passionate and experienced digital journalist working in the news industry. At the Buna Times, I write articles covering technology developments and related topics. I strive to provide reliable information that my readers can trust. My research skills are top-notch, as well as my ability to craft engaging stories on timely topics with clarity and accuracy.