In Brazil, the Amazon Forests have been subject to 74,155 fires since January 2019, as confirmed by the country’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE). This figure indicates an 85% increase from the previous year and considerably higher than that recorded in 2016, a year marked by severe drought conditions due to a strong El Nino event. Interestingly, there is nothing atypical about the climate or rainfall this year in the Amazon region, with records only slightly below average.
About The Amazon Rainforests
The Amazon Rainforests are expansive tropical rainforests located within the drainage basin of the Amazon River and its tributaries in northern South America. They span an impressive 6,000,000 square km area. These forests grow within 28 degrees north or south of the equator and are characterized by high moisture levels, receiving more than 200 cm of rainfall annually. Temperatures remain relatively constant, ranging between 20°C and 35°C.
Tropical forests like the Amazon are not unique to South America and can be found in Asia, Australia, Africa, Central America, Mexico, and many Pacific Islands. In Brazil, the Amazon Rainforest covers about 40% of the total area and is bordered by the Guiana Highlands to the North, the Andes Mountains to the West, the Brazilian central plateau to the south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the East.
Causes Behind the Fires
There are several reasons behind the rampant fires in the Amazon. Under natural conditions, the dry season can facilitate the use and spread of fire. However, human activities have significantly contributed to deforestation in the region since the 1960s. Commercial activities such as cattle-ranching, logging, power projects, mining and farming have led to large-scale deforestation.
There is also an economic aspect to this issue. The Amazon boasts vast reserves of gold and other minerals, and the Brazilian President has advocated for opening up the region to business interests, including mining, agriculture, and logging firms.
| Details | Numbers |
|---|---|
| Amazon Forest Fires (2019) | 74,155 |
| Increase from Last Year (2018) | 85% |
| Rainfall (per year) | 200 cm+ |
| Temperature Range | 20°C – 35°C |
Environmental Concerns
The Amazon rainforest is a crucial ecosystem that harbors an immense variety of biodiversity and produces approximately 20% of the Earth’s oxygen. It provides refuge to many indigenous communities whose lives depend on the forest.
Further, the Amazon basin absorbs as much carbon as is emitted by the nations within the basin. Therefore, whenever the forests burn, they release additional amounts of carbon emissions into the atmosphere. Continued deforestation could potentially turn the world’s largest rainforest into a savanna — a change that would completely overturn the region’s ecology.
Moreover, the rainforest plays a crucial role in the region’s water cycle. It generates at least half of the rainfall it receives, with some of this moisture even reaching the Andes mountain range. Given these critical issues, it is evident that the United Nations and the international community need to devise and implement serious measures to save the forests.
Last Modified: February 6, 2024