The Amazon Changes Sides

Authorities have regarded the Brazilian Amazon as the 'lungs' of the planet. A study, in Nature Climate Change, has shown, however, that the region's net role has completely switched (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/apr/30/brazilian-amazon-released-more-carbon-than-it-absorbed-over-past-10-years). From 2010-2019, the Amazon emitted more than 16.5 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide. In the same period, it absorbed a little less than 14 billion tonnes of that 'greenhouse gas'. The authors of the study, feel this change is likely to become irreversible. Massive deforestation has taken place, using a combination of fires and clear cutting. In 2017 and 2018, about 1 million hectares of forest were cleared per year. In 2019, in spite of the Covid pandemic, the figure leapt up to almost 4 million hectares. The authors also note there has been a sharp decline in environmental protections since 2019. The 'lungs' are now breathing out carbon dioxide and no longer help the planet absorb manmade emissions. The Brazilian Amazon is now a net contributor to climate change!