Amazon rainforest nears tipping point that may see it become savannah
New ScientistSep 21, 2021
Report: Amazon Rainforest Nears "Dieback" Tipping Point
Image copyright: Victor Moriyama [via The NYT]
The Facts
According to a new report in Nature Climate Change, the Amazon rainforest is nearing a tipping point that could see much of it become savannah.
More than three-quarters of the rainforest has become less resilient to drought since the early 2000s.
The Spin
Narrative A
The Amazon's tipping point is a huge issue for our global climate emergency. This study shows that the rainforest is on its way to being a much-feared net emitter of CO2 by 2050. There's still a window to take action, but we're running out of precious time.
Narrative B
This doesn't merit the hysteria. Researchers know the Amazon isn't the "lungs of the world"--it takes in as much oxygen as it puts out. As deforestation continues, the resulting farms and pastures will still produce a lot of oxygen. Plus, 80% of the Amazon still remains today, with 50% of it fully protected. The alarmism doesn't match the ecological reality.