Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon increased 92% in May 2024 compared to May 2023, with fires causing most of the damage. The Ministry of Environment warns about changing forest resilience due to climate impacts. Brazil’s government declared an environmental emergency to enhance fire response and monitor technology. Immediate measures are needed to address the crisis, as irreversible ecosystem changes may loom without action.
Deforestation rates in the Brazilian Amazon spiked dramatically, recorded at an alarming 92 percent rise in May 2024 compared to the previous year. According to reports from Lusa, this drastic increase raises pressing questions regarding the long-term stability of the Amazon rainforest. Satellite data reveals that around 960 square kilometers of the forest were lost last month, a rise from 500 square kilometers reported in May 2023. The report breaks down the causes of deforestation: logging and illegal mining are significant contributors, accounting for almost half of the destruction, while fires are responsible for the bulk of the loss, marking a significant moment for this crucial ecosystem.
João Paulo Capobianco, who serves as the executive secretary of the Ministry of the Environment, expressed concern over changing dynamics within the forest. He stated, “The native forest, which was previously immune to fires, has started to change its profile.” His comments highlight the detrimental impact that ongoing climate change, recurrent fires, and prolonged droughts over the last two decades have had on forest immunity. This shift is alarming, indicating that the Amazon, a natural fortress, is now under siege.
In further clarifications, Capobianco remarked, “We are not talking about the point of no return or the collapse of the biome, but about the collapse of the burned area that was once forest.” According to the environmental science non-profit Mongabay, without curtailing deforestation and carbon emissions effectively, the Amazon could transition into a savannah-type ecosystem in the coming decades, which would be a tragic loss.
As for the fires igniting this devastation, most are of human origin, initiated for agricultural expansion or by illegal logging and mining operations attempting to hide their activities. The past year alone saw Brazil lose an area matching the size of Italy to fire, with over 30.8 million hectares destroyed in nearly 238,000 fires—a staggering 58 percent of that destruction happening within the Amazon, largely driven by these unlawful practices.
The situation in the Amazon has been aggravated by extreme weather patterns. Rainfall plunged by as much as 70 percent in the last year, leading to severe drought conditions that have placed some of the river systems at record low levels. Coupled with a 42.3 percent increase in fire incidents, the burned area in the Amazon rose by 66 percent. Such worrying trends cannot be overlooked.
In response to the growing threat of wildfires, the Brazilian government has declared an environmental emergency nationwide as of February 2024. This step aims to allocate vital resources to firefighting departments and local governments, increasing personnel hiring for fire brigades. To combat slash-and-burn agricultural practices, tax benefits are being offered to landowners who maintain forest cover.
Technological advancements are also on the horizon. The Brazilian government is investing in innovations to enhance their fire detection and response capabilities across the expansive 4.1 million square kilometers of the Amazon. The Prevfogo Program, administered by the environmental institute, employs satellite technology and AI to predict fire outbreaks and monitor climate parameters, wind patterns, and changes in land usage to spot high-risk areas more effectively. In a novel approach, autonomous drones designed for firefighting are undergoing testing in northern states to locate and extinguish flames at their nascent stages. Additionally, research into fire-resistant tree species and specialized soil treatments is underway, highlighting the multifaceted approach required to tackle this crisis.
Recent data reveal that deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon has surged to unprecedented levels, driven largely by human activities such as land clearing for agriculture and illegal logging. The government has responded with an environmental emergency declaration and initiatives to curb the escalating fires. Meanwhile, new technologies are being developed to better predict and prevent future fire outbreaks. The hope is that these efforts will reverse some of the damage before it is too late—even as significant challenges remain ahead in safeguarding this vital ecosystem.
Original Source: macaonews.org
