The Amazon Rainforest in South America has already been in trouble for years. Now, a group of about 30 scientists have gathered together to find out just how much the rainforest has been affected, and what that means for global warming. A big concern is the rainforest’s ability to store more carbon than what it and humans nearby release into the atmosphere. As deforestation continues, this ability decreases.
CO2 isn’t the only problem. The Amazon produces an estimated 3.5 percent of all methane released globally through floods that cause microbes in the soil to make the greenhouse gas. Before, that was not an issue as the trees were capable of absorbing more greenhouse gases than they emitted. Now, it is a serious concern. Tom Lovejoy, a senior in biodiversity with the United Nations Foundations and Carlos Nobre, a climate scientist, both believe that the forest will be in critical condition when 20 to 25% of it is cleared. According to the Brazilian government, already 17% of the rainforest has been cleared.
Because the Amazon contributes so much in the fight to stop global warming, the entire world will be affected if Brazil doesn’t do something to stop deforestation. Currently, President Joe Biden has been called on to negotiate with Brazil to demand a change. More updates will follow here once they reach an agreement.