The Amazon, the world's largest rainforest, has lost an area equivalent to Germany and France combined due to deforestation over the past four decades, according to a study published by RAISG. This loss, driven by mining and agriculture, amounts to 88 million hectares of forest cover, impacting nine South American countries. Experts highlight an alarming increase in land repurposed for these activities, resulting in carbon emissions and climate disruption.
The Amazon, the world's largest rainforest, has lost an area equivalent to Germany and France combined due to deforestation over the past four decades, according to a study published by RAISG on Monday.
This loss, driven primarily by mining and agriculture activities, amounts to 88 million hectares (880,000 square kilometers) of forest cover across nine countries including Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana.
RAISG experts highlight an alarming increase in land repurposed for mining, crops, and livestock, which has resulted in significant carbon emissions and disruption of climate-regulating ecosystems.
Sandra Rio Caceres from Peru's Institute of the Common Good links this deforestation to severe droughts and wildfires across South American nations.
According to the World Weather Attribution network, climate change is exacerbating these fires by turning the region into a tinderbox, with further risks expected as long as fossil fuel consumption continues.