“The tipping point is not a future scenario, but rather a stage that already exists in some parts of the region,” the report concludes. “Brazil and Bolivia account for 90% of all combined deforestation and forest degradation. As a result, savannahization is already taking place in both countries.” He found that only two of the nine, tiny Suriname and French Guiana, have at least half their forests still intact. The 80% target is a huge challenge given that only 74% of the original forest remains. Urgent action is needed not only to protect the forest that still exists, but also to restore the degraded land and return it to that 80% level. “It’s difficult but doable,” said Alicia Guzmán, an Ecuadorian scientist who coordinated the report. “Everything depends on the participation of the indigenous communities and the people who live in the forest. That and the debt.” Guzmán said that giving indigenous groups control over more land – and above all, providing state protection and removing legal loopholes that allow extractive industries to enter – was the surest way to ensure conservation. “Having indigenous people in the decision-making process means that we rely on the knowledge of those who know the most about the forest,” Guzmán said. “And they need budgets.” They also need their land protected from land grabbers and extractive industries. Mining is one of the growing threats, with protected areas and indigenous land among the areas most desired by researchers. Much of the mining is clandestine and illegal, but about half in protected areas is done legally, and scientists have called on governments to deny or revoke mining permits. Oil is another threat, particularly in Ecuador, the source of 89% of all crude extracted from the region. Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you to the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Of even greater concern is agriculture. Agriculture is responsible for 84% of deforestation, and the area of land given over to cultivation has tripled since 1985, according to the report. Brazil is one of the world’s leading food exporters, with soy, beef and grains feeding large parts of the world and bringing in billions of dollars each year. Latin America is the most indebted region in the developing world, and writing off that debt in exchange for conservation commitments would be significant. “They have a unique opportunity before them to forgive existing debt in exchange for commitments to end industrial mining and promote protection in key priority areas, indigenous areas and protected areas,” the report says. Among the other 13 “solutions” proposed in the report are: a complete suspension of new permits and funding for mining, oil, cattle ranching, large dams, logging and other such activities. increased transparency and accountability in supply chains; the restoration of deforested land; new governance models that allow for increased representation and recognition of indigenous peoples. While the task is enormous, there are reasons for optimism, particularly in Brazil, where the president, Jair Bolsonaro, faces former incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in a tense election on October 2. Lula leads the polls. During his time in power in the 2000s, deforestation was reduced by more than 80%.
