- Title: Amazon deforestation risks 'disastrous effects on climate'
- Date: 28th August 2019
- Summary: RONDONIA, BRAZIL (AUGUST 27, 2019) (REUTERS) (MUTE) AERIAL OF FIRE IN THE RAINFOREST RONDONIA, BRAZIL (AUGUST 27, 2019) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF FIRE IN THE RAINFOREST LONDON, ENGLAND, UK (AUGUST 28, 2019) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PROFESSOR ALEXANDRE ANTONELLI, THE DIRECTOR OF SCIENCE AT THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS, KEW, LOOKING AT PLANTS IN THE PALM HOUSE (SOUNDBITE) (English) PROFESSOR ALEXANDRE ANTONELLI, DIRECTOR OF SCIENCE, ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS, KEW, SAYING: "I'm very concerned at the moment. I think we have to take this extremely seriously. We've lost almost 20 percent of the Amazon already. The numbers vary between 17 and 18 percent and some of the climatic models that scientists are making now predict that around 20 to 25 percent is the tipping point after which the Amazon could convert into Savannah kind of vegetation and this could also lead to increased acidification so it could create a desert-like environment across the Amazon. This would have disastrous effects on the climate of that of the South American continent, increasing temperature and reducing precipitation. It would also increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere causing global warming. And finally it would mean the destruction of potentially millions of species that are found nowhere else on the planet." VARIOUS OF A GARDNER WATERING PLANTS IN THE PALM HOUSE (SOUNDBITE) (English) PROFESSOR ALEXANDRE ANTONELLI, DIRECTOR OF SCIENCE, ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS, KEW, SAYING: "I am very disappointed by the way that the governments are tackling this issue because the Amazon is really a global resource. It's something that concerns all of us on the planet. It's not a matter of political debate or where different parties are standing in terms of environmental questions. We really have to realize the importance of the Amazon in an international context." PLANTS IN THE PALM HOUSE (SOUNDBITE) (English) PROFESSOR ALEXANDRE ANTONELLI, DIRECTOR OF SCIENCE, ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS, KEW, SAYING: "It is very important that this debate will also involve scientists because some of those facts for instance that the Amazon is the lung of the planet are not correct. And I think that by using those arguments to defend the protection of an Amazon can have damaging effects because they're not credible and not correct. The Amazon has many values. It is a huge source of biodiversity for the planet. It's the largest storage of carbon on the planet as well. And also it's a source of subsistence for hundreds of millions of people around South America and in other rainforests around the world." ALTAMIRA REGION, PARA, BRAZIL (AUGUST 27, 2019) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF FIRES IN THE RAINFOREST AT NIGHT
- Embargoed: 11th September 2019 15:14
- Keywords: Royal Botanic Gardens Brazil forest fires Altamira Kew Professor Alexandre Antonelli Rondonia Para Amazon rainforest
- Location: LONDON, ENGLAND, UK / RONDONIA AND ALTAMIRA REGION, PARA, BRAZIL
- City: LONDON, ENGLAND, UK / RONDONIA AND ALTAMIRA REGION, PARA, BRAZIL
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: Disaster/Accidents,Wildfires/Forest Fires
- Reuters ID: LVA001AU4USLJ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The continued deforestation of the Amazon as fires sweep through the world's largest rainforest could have a disastrous effects on the continent's climate, according to a Brazilian scientist based in London.
As well as releasing vast quantities of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, the fires pose a severe threat to thousands of plant and animal species, most of which have inhabited the region for hundreds of thousands of years, Professor Alexandre Antonelli, Director of Science at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, told Reuters.
"We've lost almost 20 percent of the Amazon already," Antonelli said.
"20 to 25 percent is the tipping point after which the Amazon could convert into to Savannah," he said.
"It would mean the destruction of potentially millions of species that are found nowhere else on the planet."
The number of fires has skyrocketed 80% in the year to date compared to the same period in 2018, according to data from space research agency INPE.
Widespread rain that could snuff the fires out are likely weeks away, according to weather data and two experts.
The fires are not limited to Brazil, with at least 10,000 sq km (about 3,800 sq miles) burning in Bolivia, near its border with Paraguay and Brazil.
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said on Wednesday (August 28) that South American countries would meet to determine a common policy in defence of the Amazon rainforest.
Antonelli said the often repeated statement that the Amazon is the lungs of the planet is incorrect, but the rainforest is nevertheless a crucial resource of global importance.
"The Amazon has many values. It is a huge source of biodiversity for the planet. It's the largest storage of carbon on the planet as well. And also it's a source of subsistence for hundreds of millions of people around South America and in other rainforests around the world," Antonelli said. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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