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Amazon Under Increased Risk
Posted on Sat May 17 2008
The Amazon is at a risk of facing a drought. This is largely due to the the reduced emissions from burning coal, along with the increase in temperatures of the sea, in the north Atlantic. Around a tenth of the total carbon in land ecosystems is contained in the Amazon rainforest, and a large portion of rainfall that it receives is recycled here. Thus any changes that affect the Amazon rainforest, due to varied reasons such as drought, deforestation etc, have a direct impact on the climate system globally. A research team from Uk & Brazil used a the data available from the drought that occurred in 2005, which was responsible for widespread destruction of the Amazon basin. Researchers believe that in another twenty years, a drought of this magnitude could occur every alternate year, and by 2060, a drought could happen every year. The Amazon rain forest is under immense pressure. While the most obvious threat is deforestation, climate change is next on the list. It's a big problem, one that we need to take action against, in order to protect this rainforest. Deforestation, the increasing number of forest fires combined with global warming are all acting in union and reducing the versatility of the Amazon rain forest. The sulphate particles that arose from the burning of coal, at various power stations in the 70's and 80's, did serve to reduce global warming. This was done by reflecting the sunlight and making the clouds much brighter. This pollution has been mostly in the northern hemisphere, and limited warming in the north Atlantic tropics. And this has also led to keep the Amazon much wetter than what it would have been. Decreasing sulfur emissions in Europe and North America, will result in the north Atlantic warming, with tropical rain bands moving north. All this will eventually see the Amazonian at the increased threat of facing a drought. All this research, serves as yet another reminder of the complexity of environmental change, and how we need to take immediate action to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, as well as aerosol pollution, and reduce the risk that the Amazon faces. CommentsLet us know what you think! |
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Extremely important, to the Earth's ecosystem, the Amazon rainforest is under threat due to lack of clean air. Recent studies have revealed.
One reason for the deforestation of the Amazon Rainforest is to claim pasture land for beef production. We have become aware lately of the large amount of land needed for cattle versus land needed for farming crops. This contributes, combined with the rising amount of pollution and drought threat, to the great strain put on the remaining rainforest.
I wish more people would realize how much the Amazon and what is happening their does effect things globally. I run across people still to this day that have no clue that this is happening.
I have been told many times that all of life's problems are interconnected. This is just another one of those problems. These problems affect not only human life, but all life on this planet. We need to start educating our children about these problems. They are the ones that will have to solve them because we will not be able to.