Fires caused a standard loss of tropical forests

New satellite analyzes indicate that the world’s tropical forests, which provide a decisive insulation against climate change, have disappeared faster than ever in the past year.

Researchers estimate that 67,000 square kilometers (26,000 square miles) of these virgin forests were lost in 2024-a large area like the Republic of Ireland, or 18 football fields per minute.

The fires were the main reason, as land permits of agriculture exceeded the first time, as the Amazon was making a particularly badly in the drought of the record.

However, there was more positive news in Southeast Asia, with government policies that help reduce forest loss.

The tropical rain forests store hundreds of billions of tons of carbon in soil and wooden ribs. But this new global registry raises more questions about its elasticity on the warming planet.

Many researchers feel anxious some forests, such as parts of the Amazon, may come close to the “turning point”, which can then fall into an irreversible decrease.

“The idea of ​​the turning point is, increasingly, the correct idea,” said Professor Matthew Hansen, co -director of the happy laboratory at Maryland University, who produces data.

Professor Hansen described the new results as “frightening”, and warned of the possible “disposal” of rainforests, as old tropical forests die and switch permanently to the savanna.

“It is still a theory, but I think this is more reasonable to consider data.”

A A separate studyand Posted last weekMake a similar warning to the great death of the Amazon if it exceeds global warming International goal for 1.5C.

This will not only threaten the vibrant group of wildlife that lives in most of these biological habitats, but will also have serious repercussions on the global climate.

Until recently, Amazon was doing humanity in favor, as it absorbs CO2 more than the planet.

But the burning of these forests emanates from huge amounts of carbon dioxide – which increases warming rather than limiting it.

In 2023-24, the Amazon experienced The worst drought Absolutely, Nourished by climate change Natural warning Baby weather style.

Several fires are intentionally starting to remove lands for cultivation, making it difficult to separate the two.

But dehydration provided perfect fires to spread out of control, as Brazil and Bolivia were badly affected.

Although it is only one year, it fits the expected pattern of the most intense tropical fires in the world of warming.

“I think we are in a new stage, as not only clearing of cultivation, this is the main engine,” said Rod Taylor of the World Resources Institute (WRI), who is also behind the report of the latest report.

“We now have the new amplification effect, which is a real reaction loop for climate change, where fires are more dense and more fierce than they were ever.”

In total, the standard loss of the ancient tropical forests in the world has released 3.1 billion tons of gases aimed at the planet, and the researchers estimate.

This is the same emissions of the European Union.

Countries in Southeast Asia, however, won the global trend.

The initial forest loss in Indonesia decreased by 11 % compared to 2023, for example, despite dehydration conditions.

This was the result of concerted efforts by governments and societies that work together to impose “no burning” laws, according to Elizabeth Goldman, co -director of the WRI global monitoring project.

“Indonesia is a bright point in data 2024,” said Indonesia as a bright point in 2024 data.

“Political will is a major factor in success – it is impossible otherwise,” Gabriel Labayight, head of climate change in the United Nations Forest Program UndDD, who did not participate in today’s report.

Other countries, including Brazil, have witnessed a success in the past with a similar approach, but it began to see the losses increasing again in 2014 after a change in government policies.

Professor Hansen said that although progress in Southeast Asia was positive, the fluctuations in forest loss in Brazil show that protection policies should be consistent.

He told BBC News: “The key that we have not yet seen is the constant success in reducing and preserving low levels of these ecosystems, and if you are interested in preserving the environment that you must always win and forever,” he told BBC News.

Researchers agree that the United Nations Climate Summit this year COP30 – which is hosted in the Amazon – will be necessary to share and enhance forest protection plans.

One of the suggestions is the reward for countries that maintain tropical forests through payments. Details should still be resolved but have a promise, according to Dodon Taylor.

“I think it is an example of innovation that addresses one of the basic issues that must be achieved at the present time by cutting the forests from keeping it standing,” he said.

Graphics written by Erwan Revolt