https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-62999822
'Carbon emissions in the Amazon region in 2019 and 2020 more than doubled
compared to the average of the previous eight years, according to a new study.
Deforestation for agriculture and fires were the main drivers of the increase,
according to the authors.
The scientists say that a "collapse" in law enforcement in recent years has
encouraged forest clearing.
The research findings have been submitted for publication but have yet to be
independently reviewed.
As home to the largest tropical forest on Earth, the Amazon plays a critical
role in maintaining the Earth's climate by storing massive amounts of carbon in
trees and soils.
Over the last few decades the forest has been under growing pressure as land
has been cleared in Brazil and neighbouring countries, primarily for farming.
Last year researchers published data indicating that the eastern part of the
forest was being cut down at such a rate that more carbon was being released
than absorbed by the trees and vegetation.
Now the same scientists believe that an explosion of forest clearing in the
western part of the Amazon has also turned that region into a source of carbon
emissions.'
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
