Governments are gathering to talk about the Amazon rainforest. Why is it so important to protect?

Governments are convening to discuss the importance of protecting the Amazon rainforest, an immense area twice the size of India, spanning eight countries and one territory. The Amazon plays a critical role in mitigating climate change as it serves as a significant carbon sink. Moreover, it holds approximately 20% of the world’s freshwater reserves and boasts remarkable biodiversity, with 16,000 known tree species.

Unfortunately, historical views of the rainforest have prioritized colonization and exploitation, disregarding sustainability and the rights of its Indigenous peoples. To address the issues of resource extraction, human rights abuses, and environmental crimes, cross-border collaboration is essential. The Amazon Summit aims to tackle the immense challenges of protecting this vital resource and combating climate change.

The main threat to the Amazon is deforestation, with over 85 million hectares lost (about 13% of the original area), largely due to cattle ranching and soybean crops. Additionally, large hydroelectric dams, illegal logging, mining, oil drilling, and underinvestment in infrastructure pose significant environmental risks.

The Amazon’s role in arresting climate change cannot be overstated. Deforestation leads to increased greenhouse gas emissions, reduced rainfall, and higher temperatures, accelerating climate change. Researchers have suggested that a tipping point, around 20% to 25% deforestation, could lead to a transformation of over half of the Amazon into tropical savannah, causing substantial biodiversity loss.

Other threats include road paving, which enables illegal activities and organized crime, such as illegal timber extraction and drug trafficking. Political corruption and lax law enforcement exacerbate these issues.

Developing the Amazon sustainably requires region-specific approaches, including providing health, education, and land rights protection. Governments should consider subsidizing products from the forest to encourage sustainable economic activities. Greater communication and local expertise are needed to showcase the potential of the Amazon and attract investors to bioeconomy alternatives. Policymakers must implement anti-corruption measures and invest substantially in these sustainable initiatives.

In conclusion, protecting the Amazon rainforest is of utmost importance due to its vital role in combating climate change, preserving biodiversity, and safeguarding freshwater resources. Collaboration among governments and sustainable development initiatives are essential to secure the future of this critical resource.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Amazon rainforest protection

More about Amazon rainforest protection

• “The Amazon rainforest: Why it’s important for all of us” – Big Big News: https://bigbignews.com/amazon-rainforest-importance/
• “Deforestation in the Amazon biome” – Monitoring of the Andean Amazon Pact: https://www.pactodeunidadandino.org/uploads/pdf/2019/ESP/DEFORAMZONICO_FE-PRD-2019-ESP-WEB.pdf
• “Amazon deforestation increases greenhouse gases” – Nature: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-98143-4
• “Deforestation tipping point theory” – Carlos Nobre and Thomas Lovejoy: Notable Earth System Scientist and Environmental Scientist, respectively.
• “Drug trafficking and organized crime in the Amazon” – United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report: https://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/Studies/Illicit_crop_monitoring/Colombia/Coca-Monitoring-Report-2021_EN.pdf
• “Bioeconomy alternatives for the Amazon” – Igarape Institute: https://igarape.org.br/en/
• “Sustainable development in the Amazon” – Environmental Science & Policy: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1462901119313377