International News: 40 percent of Amazon’s most crucial climate areas unprotected

Published by BBNTEAM at September 11, 2024

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Posted: Wednesday, September 11, 2024. 11:09 am CST.

By Zoila Palma Gonzalez: New data reveals that nearly 40 percent of the Amazon rainforest’s most vital regions for climate stability remain unprotected.

According to U.S. News, these critical areas, located in Peru’s southwest and Brazil’s northeast, as well as French Guiana and Suriname, house the Amazon’s densest trees and largest carbon stores.

A report by nonprofit Amazon Conservation noted that these regions are essential for carbon storage and would significantly contribute to greenhouse gas emissions if destroyed.

Matt Finer, who leads Amazon Conservation’s Monitoring of the Andean Amazon Project (MAAP), emphasized the importance of safeguarding these pristine parts.

The analysis, based on satellite data and machine-learning models, shows that while 61 percent of high-carbon areas are protected as indigenous or other reserves, the remaining 39 percent lack official protection.

In Brazil, Suriname, and French Guiana, only 51 percent of these areas are protected, while Peru offers better coverage but still faces logging threats.

Recent MAAP findings estimated the Amazon holds 71.5 billion tonnes of carbon, roughly double the 2022 global Co2 emissions.

Although the Amazon has historically absorbed more carbon than it releases, this balance is contested, with some studies suggesting it may now be a carbon source.

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