Years of unprecedented forest fires could lead to the final disappearance of Brazil’s Amazon – the world’s largest rain forest.
According to the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), 6,803 fires were detected in July, a 28% rise on the same month last year.
In fact, July 2020 had the highest rate of fires in the Brazilian Amazon for the last 10 years: 56% above the average number of fires in July 2010 to 2019.
Many are concerned that one of the earth’s most revered sanctuaries, is nearing its abyss.
“The Amazon is perilously close to tipping point. Scientists warn that in fewer than 20 years it could collapse with catastrophic consequences for indigenous groups, forest wildlife, our health and the climate.”
Anna Jones, Greenpeace’s head of forests
Its not just fires that are a cause for worry.
Satellite images have repeatedly shown Illegal loggers cutting large, valuable trees first which are shown as deforested areas.
All these activities not only release harmful Co2 gases into the air and water bodies, they also kill wildlife or force them to migrate to other habitat.
More pressure
As environmental groups mount pressure to halt the party of destruction, Brazil’s environment minister Ricardo Salles says the government will act.
“Starting next year, we’re going to reduce deforestation and return to decreasing numbers. Brazil’s commitment is to reduce deforestation to zero by 2030, under the Paris climate agreement. But you don’t reach that goal overnight. It takes a consistent, coherent plan.”
Ricardo Salle, Brazilian Minister of Environment
Many are not very convinced by his declaration, because the Amazon debacle is pushing hard into the Pantanal, the world’s largest wetlands — a region situated just south of the Amazon and stretching from Brazil into Paraguay and Bolivia.
[…] In fact, there are fears that the Amazon may completely disappear. […]