Economist Podcasts Clear-cut risks: the Amazon degrades
Aug 8, 2019
In this discussion, Sarah Maslin, the Brazil correspondent based in Sao Paulo, sheds light on the alarming rise in deforestation in the Amazon, revealing how government policies may push the rainforest to a breaking point. Miranda Johnson, Southeast Asia correspondent, critiques Malaysia's reformist coalition for their slow progress on liberalizing laws, despite significant voter expectations. The conversation highlights the urgent need for effective environmental protection and governance reform as global impacts loom large.
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Amazon's Importance and Threat
- The Amazon rainforest is crucial for global climate regulation and biodiversity, storing vast amounts of carbon.
- Deforestation threatens this vital ecosystem, pushing it towards a tipping point where it could transform into a savanna.
Amazon's Rainfall System
- The Amazon rainforest generates its own rainfall through a unique water recycling system.
- Deforestation disrupts this cycle, potentially leading to widespread drying and ecosystem collapse.
Amazon's Tipping Point
- The Amazon's tipping point is estimated at 20-25% deforestation, with 15-16% already lost and more degraded.
- Crossing this point could lead to irreversible loss of biodiversity and carbon storage, exacerbating global warming.