Climate change is taking a toll on one of the crucial defenses against global warming—the Amazon rainforest. A recent study reveals that it was the primary factor behind the most severe drought in the rainforest in at least 50 years.
As the “lungs of the planet,” the Amazon plays a crucial role in absorbing carbon dioxide and mitigating warming effects. However, extensive deforestation has heightened its susceptibility to extreme weather conditions.
Although droughts are not an unusual occurrence in the Amazon, the researchers note that the event last year was “extraordinary.” In October, the Rio Negro, one of the world’s largest rivers, reached its lowest recorded level near Manaus in Brazil, surpassing records spanning over a century. Apart from serving as a crucial climate change buffer, the Amazon is a biodiversity hotspot, housing approximately 10% of the world’s species, with many more awaiting discovery.
