The Amazon Emits More CO2 Than It Absorbs
- Florencia Lombardi
- Jul 30, 2021
- 2 min read
As the largest tropical forest, the Amazon has historically played a key role in absorbing and storing carbon. However, this situation has changed. A new study presented that deforestation and climate change have affected the region’s ability to take in the gas.
The rainforest is experiencing intense fires, some of which were started on purpose for the use of the land, as well as higher temperatures and draughts. These extreme conditions have made part of the Amazon a substantial source of CO2.
After taking 600 air samples above the forest, researchers noticed an obvious difference between the eastern and western parts of the Amazon. The evidence helped them understand the role of deforestation and its consequences in the area.
“In the eastern part of the Amazon, which is around 30% deforested, this region emitted 10 times more carbon than in the west, which is around 11% deforested,” said author Luciana Gatti, with Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research.
Amazonia has been for generations one of the world’s most important and reliable holders of carbon. Its large scale, which is over two million square miles, allowed it to absorb great levels of gas from the atmosphere. This means that the forest was of crucial importance when keeping the global environment stable. Therefore, the lack of this ability can have immense repercussions on our planet.
As the Earth loses the essential power of the Amazon, reducing fossil fuel emissions becomes even more urgent. The tragic event serves as evidence of the consequences that human activity has on the environment. This turns the Amazon into a warning for our world to make a change.
Bibliography
Batista, M. (2020, June 8) The Amazon is still burning, only now the world isn’t watching. [Photograph] The Print.
Carrington, D. (2021, July 14) Amazon rainforest now emitting more CO2 than it absorbs. The Guardian.
De Souza, C. (2020) Brazil's Amazon rainforest suffers worst fires in a decade. [Photograph] The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/oct/01/brazil-amazon-rainforest-worst-fires-in-decade
McGrath, M. (2021, July 14) Climate change: Amazon regions emit more carbon than they absorb. BBC News.
N.A. (n.d.) Colombia launches partnership to protect Amazon rainforest from deforestation. [Photograph] Global Green Growth Institute. https://gggi.org/colombia-launches-partnership-to-protect-amazon-rainforest-from-deforestation/
Pruitt-Young, S. (2021, July 15) Parts Of The Amazon Rainforest Are Now Releasing More Carbon Than They Absorb. NPR.
Wion (2021, July 15) Amazon regions emit more carbon than they absorb, reveals new study. Wion.
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