The Amazon rainforest is on the brink of an irreversible tipping point, with conservationists warning that continued destruction could lead to a collapse of the ecosystem, leaving only “scrub” behind. The WWF’s biennial Living Planet report highlighted the devastating impacts of deforestation, extreme drought, and catastrophic wildfires on the world’s largest rainforest, emphasising that UK consumers are contributing to this destruction.
According to the report, the Amazon rainforest, often referred to as the lungs of the earth and home to 10% of the world’s species, plays a crucial role in regulating the global climate. Its potential collapse could have widespread consequences on food security, livelihoods, and weather patterns globally. Mike Barrett, WWF’s chief scientific adviser, stressed the urgent need for drastic action to prevent catastrophic outcomes, stating that the signs of approaching a tipping point are evident.
The report highlighted that a thinning tree cover in the Amazon has reduced the ecosystem’s ability to recycle moisture effectively, making vast areas more susceptible to fire risks exacerbated by climate change. This year alone, an extreme drought in South America led to five million hectares of the Brazilian Amazon being burned – an area twice the size of Wales. Experts warn that losing 20-25% of the Amazon could trigger irreversible decline, with up to 17% already destroyed.
Mauricio Voivodic, executive director at WWF-Brazil, underlined the human impacts of the Amazon’s degradation, with millions affected by wildfires and indigenous communities facing existential threats. The report cautioned that other ecosystems, such as coral reefs, ocean currents, ice sheets, and permafrost, are also approaching tipping points due to human-induced factors.
WWF called for urgent action, urging the UK and EU to expedite legislation banning the sale of deforestation-linked products like palm oil, cocoa, beef, leather, and soy. Tanya Steele, chief executive at WWF-UK, emphasised the need for government intervention to address the root causes of nature loss, rather than placing the burden on individual consumers.
The Environment Department highlighted the importance of global cooperation in tackling nature crises and pledged to prioritize climate and nature in foreign policy. WWF’s call for a Living Planet Act and a comprehensive plan to protect and restore nature worldwide resonates with the need for immediate, coordinated action to address environmental challenges.