In a public warning to humanity, a Tropical Forest Alliance official said the Amazon is undergoing massive deforestation.
It has released more carbon dioxide than it has absorbed during the past ten years, stressing that the continued deterioration of these forests portends a catastrophe.
On the occasion of International Tropical Forest Day (June 22), Emmanuel Berenger, Director of Sustainable Forests at the Tropical Forest Alliance, added that “preserving forests is no longer an option, it has become a must.”
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The Alliance is an international non-governmental, non-profit organization based in New York, active in the work of agriculture and forestry to create a better future for humans and nature.
“Between 2010 and 2019, for example, degradation in the Brazilian Amazon caused by fragmentation, over-harvesting or fires that damage but do not destroy trees caused three times more emissions than the destruction of the forest,” she added.
And she touched on a new report that talked about carbon dioxide emissions from the tropical Amazon rainforest.
Since 2010, it has been more than the forests have absorbed, describing the situation as a “warning for humanity”.
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She continued, “This affects not only climate change but also biodiversity, as the Amazon region holds 40% of the world’s remaining tropical forests and 25% of its terrestrial biodiversity.”
point of no return
Berenger stressed that this situation would lead to “variability in the local weather.
It can dry out the forest and increase its exposure to fires, cause most of the Amazon to die, and turn into a savannah ecosystem.”
“If we lose more than 30% of the Amazon rainforest, we may reach a point of no return,” she added.
She warned that in this scenario there would also be “unforeseen consequences” for weather patterns, the types of plants and animals, and the people who live in and depend on the forest.
She emphasized that there is a strong link between the destruction of tropical forests and the development of epidemics, as deforestation and hunting of wild animals can lead to the transmission of diseases from animals to humans.
She added that about 70% of new infectious diseases came from animals, including the Coronavirus, SARS, Ebola bird flu, and HIV.
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In response to a question about the effects of deforestation on indigenous communities, Berenger replied that indigenous peoples and local communities could be “the best forest keepers in the world”.
“Messing the Amazon’s role in climate and rainfall patterns will harm Brazil and its people first and foremost,” she said.
Degraded ecosystems will also be less resilient in the face of a changing climate, which means fewer natural resources that people depend on.”
She reported that smoke from tropical forest fires also poses significant health risks to local communities, as it often leads to many premature deaths.
Corona’s effects
On the impact of the Corona pandemic on conservation efforts, said Pilar Pedrinelli, Director of Global Public Engagement for the Tropical Forest Alliance.
Many protected areas around the world are reporting problems with budgets, management capacity, and effectiveness due to restrictions imposed by the spread of the Coronavirus.
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“From Costa Rica to Kenya and Indonesia, ecotourism has collapsed, and these activities not only provide revenue for communities but also finance conservation activities,” Pedrinelli added.
On the other hand, the spread of the pandemic has led to an increase in environmental awareness, with climate change and environmental issues still high on the agenda of citizens around the world, according to Pedrinelli.
She explained that awareness of the importance of tropical forests as the “lung of our planet”, especially their vital role in storing carbon dioxide, has been increasing for years.
“There is also a lack of understanding among the public about the effects of forest destruction and degradation on daily life,” she said.
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She stressed that there is still plenty of time to save tropical forests, including the Amazon.
Although it will require a “massive and immediate response,” it calls for global cooperation involving businesses, local and indigenous communities, NGOs, and governments.
She added, “What individuals can do to educate others and help protect the world’s remaining tropical forests.
It supports the work of organizations that train farmers and forest communities in sustainable land management and forest restoration.”
She noted that the Tropical Forest Alliance works in 70 countries, and its main agenda is to stop the destruction of forests by boosting rural prosperity and influencing policies.
In 2017, the Tropical Partnership designated June 22 as an annual International Tropical Forest Day to raise awareness and encourage action to protect tropical forests.
The Tropical Partnership is an environmental organization based in Austin, Texas, that works to protect and restore tropical rainforests.
This is by working with communities to develop sustainable livelihoods that empower and respect both people and nature, as well as educating communities in the United States on the role of tropical forests in protecting the climate.
