Deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest has witnessed a significant decline of 55% this year, marking the lowest levels since 2019. This development is viewed as a notable triumph for recently-elected leftist governments in Brazil and Colombia.
The information was disclosed to Reuters by the Monitoring of the Andean Amazon Project, an initiative that monitors forest cover and loss across all Amazon nations utilizing the European Space Agency’s Sentinel-2 satellite.
The data reveals a substantial 59% reduction in primary forest loss in Brazil, aligning closely with figures provided by Brazil’s government under Luiz Ignacio de Silva, who advocated for environmental concerns during this tenure.
Peru experienced a one-third decrease in forest loss, while Colombia saw a remarkable two-thirds reduction.
Notably, former guerrillas controlling parts of the forest in Colombia have transitioned to environmental roles, a factor Reuters speculates might have contributed to the substantial drop in deforestation.
Even Bolivia, grappling with severe wildfires, managed to decrease its forest loss rate by 60%. However, some nations, including Venezuela, Suriname, and Guyana, experienced increased rates of forest loss attributed to natural causes such as floods, mudslides, and strong winds.
The Amazon Rainforest’s role as a critical carbon sink, absorbing carbon dioxide and aiding in mitigating climate change, is underscored by scientists. While certain rainforests, like those in Costa Rica, are considered net-carbon sources due to poor soil quality and rapid biomass decomposition, the Amazon has not undergone similar comprehensive studies.
The Monitoring of the Andean Amazon Project (MAAP) anticipates that the deforestation data will empower Amazonian countries to assert a robust negotiating position for international conservation funding at upcoming summits, particularly the summit for the signatures of the Paris Agreement or COP28.
As the world recognizes the crucial role of rainforests, especially the Amazon, in climate change mitigation, the decline in deforestation rates offers a ray of hope. The upcoming international summit provides an opportune moment for Amazonian countries to leverage this positive trend in their pursuit of conservation funding and demonstrate their commitment to preserving one of the Earth’s most vital ecosystems.
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