Close Menu
  • Last News
    • Cities
    • Climate
    • Energy
    • Impact
    • Markets
    • Opinions
    • Policy
    • Reports
    • Research
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

News, investigations, and analysis — our top stories every morning to start your day right.

Trending
Illustration of Millie, the 30-year-old tortoiseshell cat, enjoying a special cream cake on her birthday, generated by artificial intelligence.
“Bottled Water Saved Her Life”: World’s Oldest Cat Millie Thrives at Age 30 by Drinking Only Premium Water, Stunning Veterinarians Everywhere
Illustration of the hidden corridor discovered in the Great Pyramid of Giza, generated by artificial intelligence.
“These Hidden Passages Change Everything”: Stunned Archaeologists Unveil Secret Corridor Inside Egypt’s Great Pyramid of Giza, Shaking History to Its Core
Illustration of Kenyan trees converting atmospheric carbon dioxide into stone, generated by artificial intelligence.
“These Trees Turn CO2 Into Stone”: Amazed Scientists Hail Kenya’s One-of-a-Kind Forest as the Ultimate Breakthrough Against Climate Change
Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn YouTube TikTok
Sustainability Times
Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn YouTube TikTok
Subscribe
  • Featured
  • Cities
    Illustration of Toronto's urban forest transformation with natural wetlands and diverse wildlife. Image generated by AI.

    Toronto’s Stunning Green Revolution Turns Canada’s Largest Metropolis Into a Vast Urban Forest Visible From Space

    July 1, 2025 at 4:01 PM
    Illustration of Downtown Residences skyscraper in Dubai's Business Bay area. Image generated by AI.

    “Tallest Home in the Sky”: Dubai’s 1,500-Foot Residential Tower Set to Shatter Records and Completely Transform the Urban Skyline

    June 14, 2025 at 4:11 PM
    Illustration of Egypt's ambitious Jirian urban development project featuring an artificial Nile canal. Image generated by AI.

    “Egypt’s Visionary Project Unveiled”: Skyscrapers Rising Amidst the Desert and Beside the Pyramids as Revolutionary New City Takes Shape

    June 11, 2025 at 10:00 AM
    Illustration of Saudi Arabia's futuristic Line project stretching across the desert. Image generated by AI.

    “Saudi Mega-Skyscraper Turns Deadly”: This 105-Mile Structure Threatens to Annihilate Migratory Birds on a Catastrophic Scale

    June 10, 2025 at 10:10 AM
    Illustration of Archer Aviation's Midnight eVTOL air taxi flying over Los Angeles during the 2028 Olympics. Image generated by AI.

    Flying Over LA Gridlock: These American Air Taxis Promise a Spectacular Debut During the 2028 Olympic Games

    May 20, 2025 at 4:07 PM
  • Climate
    Illustration of Kenyan trees converting atmospheric carbon dioxide into stone, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “These Trees Turn CO2 Into Stone”: Amazed Scientists Hail Kenya’s One-of-a-Kind Forest as the Ultimate Breakthrough Against Climate Change

    July 12, 2025 at 3:55 PM
    Illustration of individuals attempting to cool down during a heatwave by drinking icy beverages, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “Scientists Warn Everyone Makes This Deadly Heat Mistake”: Proven Ineffective Cooling Habit Spreads Every Summer, Endangering Lives Across America

    July 10, 2025 at 5:50 PM
    Illustration of the Birdhouse Modular tiny house design, highlighting its flexible and eco-friendly features, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “Modular Tiny House Totally Changed My Life”: Birdhouse’s Revolutionary Design Delivers Ultimate Flexibility and Style for Modern Small-Space Living

    July 10, 2025 at 9:47 AM
    Illustration of Dyson's vertical farming operation with advanced technology in a 26-acre glasshouse, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “They Said It Was Impossible—Now Robots Grow 1.2 Million Strawberries a Year”: Inside Dyson’s Sci-Fi Mega-Farm Shocking the Entire Agriculture Industry

    July 10, 2025 at 6:14 AM

    Ovik Mkrtchyan on Integrating Green Thinking into Emerging Economies

    July 10, 2025 at 5:23 AM
  • Energy
    Illustration of a futuristic clay membrane technology extracting lithium from seawater, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “These Unbelievable Clay Membranes Are Pulling Lithium Fortunes Out of Thin Water,” Roars Shocked Scientist as Global Battery Race Goes Into Overdrive

    July 11, 2025 at 8:52 AM
    Illustration of the Blue Marlin, the world's first inland vessel using solar power for propulsion, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “This Solar Ship Is the Future of River Travel,” Declares Visionary Engineer as 192 Sun-Powered Panels Drive the World’s First Inland Marvel

    July 11, 2025 at 7:46 AM
    Illustration of an innovative fishery-solar hybrid farm in China combining solar panels with aquaculture, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “These Jaw-Dropping 370,000 Solar Panels Are Transforming Chinese Fishing Forever,” Declares Global Energy Authority as Massive 250 MW Hybrid Farm Shocks Industry

    July 11, 2025 at 6:01 AM
    Illustration of the XiaoTun underwater jetpack in action, showcasing its sleek design and capabilities, as an artificial illustration.

    “Underwater Jetpack Shocked My Expectations”: XiaoTun’s $1,374 Kickstarter Device Makes High-Speed Ocean Exploration Possible for First-Time Adventurers

    July 10, 2025 at 8:46 AM
    Illustration of a Ferrari-branded eco-friendly yacht employing renewable energy technology, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “Ferrari’s Green Revolution Stuns the Seas”: This Eco-Friendly Yacht Breaks Speed Barriers While Redefining Luxury for the Super-Rich

    July 10, 2025 at 8:12 AM
  • Impact
    Illustration of Mark Zuckerberg's luxury yacht adventure in Norway's fjords, created by artificial intelligence.

    “He Spent Millions for a Single Thrill”: Zuckerberg Crosses 5,300 Miles on Twin Superyachts, Helicopters to a Peak, and Skis Down Like No One Else

    July 12, 2025 at 9:48 AM
    Illustration of the Streetwing flying car designed by Dezső Molnár for sustainable transportation, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “Flying Car Opened Up a Whole New World for Me”: Streetwing’s Daring Design Ignites the Next Chapter in Pure Personal Exploration

    July 10, 2025 at 3:49 PM
    Illustration of a laser-based mosquito defense system neutralizing mosquitoes, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “Terrifying Death Ray Unleashed!”: China’s Laser Mosquito Defense System Annihilates 30 Bloodthirsty Pests Every Second, Astonishing Global Scientists

    July 9, 2025 at 4:00 PM
    Illustration of the AIRCAT Bengal MC, the world's most advanced autonomous naval vessel. Image generated by AI.

    “We Just Changed Naval Warfare Forever”: US Unveils World’s Most Advanced Warship With Devastating 44-Ton Payload Capacity

    July 8, 2025 at 6:09 PM

    Yueling Lai’s AlzCare App Wins 2025 Red Dot Design Award

    July 7, 2025 at 5:14 AM
  • Markets
    Illustration of a colossal 55 billion-ton iron ore deposit discovery in Western Australia. Image generated by AI.

    Worldwide Panic as Monumental Geological Find Disrupts Global Trade and Triggers Market Turmoil on Every Continent

    June 4, 2025 at 4:53 PM

    Most sources of protein in the US contain vast quantities of microplastics

    January 11, 2024 at 5:47 AM

    Banking on change: How your accounts have climate impact

    December 26, 2023 at 7:13 PM

    Sparxell’s glitter is golden with nature-based color, design

    December 19, 2023 at 9:29 PM

    Lab-grown coffee tastes pretty darn good, scientists say

    December 12, 2023 at 10:42 PM
  • Opinions
    Illustration of Millie, the 30-year-old tortoiseshell cat, enjoying a special cream cake on her birthday, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “Bottled Water Saved Her Life”: World’s Oldest Cat Millie Thrives at Age 30 by Drinking Only Premium Water, Stunning Veterinarians Everywhere

    July 12, 2025 at 5:57 PM
    Illustration of Mars colonization vision challenged by expert, highlighting Earth's superior habitability, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “Elon Musk, You’re Ignoring the Truth”: Astrophysicist’s Startling Claim—Earth Would Remain a Paradise Compared to Mars After Nuclear Apocalypse

    July 10, 2025 at 4:56 PM

    Smoke, Mirrors, and Smears: Inside the Campaign Against Gaurav Srivastava (Review)

    May 14, 2025 at 10:45 AM

    Nathan Law and the High Cost of Dissent: A Review of Targeted, Episode 3

    May 13, 2025 at 9:46 AM

    From charts to conversations: a real review of Hint App, The Pattern, and TimePassages

    May 13, 2025 at 5:12 AM
  • Policy
    Illustration of a legislative debate on banning octopus farming, highlighting environmental and ethical concerns, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “They’re Smarter Than Dogs!”: Furious North Carolina Bill Launches All-Out War on Octopus Farming, Leaving Shocked Families and Multimillion-Dollar Businesses in Chaos

    July 9, 2025 at 5:55 AM
    Illustration of the Canadian government's decision to freeze Tesla subsidies amid legal controversy. Image generated by AI.

    “We’re Not Paying a Cent”: Canada Freezes $40 Million in Aid and Declares War on Tesla’s Controversial Operations

    July 7, 2025 at 4:58 PM
    Illustration of OpenAI's efforts in regulating AI for biological safety. Image generated by AI.

    “OpenAI Pulls Emergency Brake”: This Terrifying AI Showed Signs It Could Design Real-World Biological Weapons From Scratch

    July 1, 2025 at 6:10 AM
    Illustration of China's massive underground military command center near Beijing. Image generated by AI.

    “China Builds Largest Military Hub on Earth”: Satellite Images Expose 1,000-Acre Mega-Complex With Global Strategic Implications

    June 30, 2025 at 9:55 AM
    Illustration of North Star, an AI tool designed to predict and prevent wars by simulating world leaders' decisions. Image generated by AI.

    “AI That Stops Wars”: Former Harvard Scientist Unveils Revolutionary Peace Technology Designed to Prevent Global Conflict Before It Starts

    June 25, 2025 at 5:10 PM
  • Reports
    Illustration of the SABRE South Collaboration’s experimental setup for detecting dark matter in the Stawell Underground Physics Laboratory (AI-generated, non-realistic illustration). Credit: Ideogram.

    “Scientists Stunned by Mysterious Light”: Bold Experiment Uses 4-Inch Glowing Crystal Core to Unveil Secrets of Elusive Dark Matter

    May 5, 2025 at 6:05 AM
    Illustration of a precision laser being fired from Earth to a satellite orbiting the Moon during daylight (AI-generated, non-realistic illustration). Credit: Ideogram.

    China Hits the Moon With a Laser: First Daylight Lunar Reflection in History Stuns Scientists and Ignites Global Space Race

    May 4, 2025 at 5:09 PM
    Illustration of the SR-72 hypersonic jet soaring through the sky (AI-generated, non-realistic illustration). Credit: Ideogram.

    “China Stunned by US Jet”: SR-72 Hypersonic Aircraft to Fly at Over Mach 5 in 2025, Triggering Shock and Panic in Beijing

    May 4, 2025 at 6:03 AM
    Illustration of China's expansive underground military command center near Beijing (AI-generated, non-realistic illustration). Credit: Ideogram.

    China Unveils Its Military Mega-Project: Satellite Images Reveal Construction of the Largest Military Hub on Earth Spanning Over 1,000 Acres

    May 3, 2025 at 6:54 AM
    Illustration of China's new amphibious anti-tank missile system on the ZTD-05 vehicle (AI-generated, non-realistic illustration). Credit: Ideogram.

    “China Unleashes Amphibious Beast”: This Armored Truck-Turned-Tank Can Now Hunt Enemy Targets Across Rivers and Swamps

    May 2, 2025 at 5:52 AM
  • Research
    Illustration of the hidden corridor discovered in the Great Pyramid of Giza, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “These Hidden Passages Change Everything”: Stunned Archaeologists Unveil Secret Corridor Inside Egypt’s Great Pyramid of Giza, Shaking History to Its Core

    July 12, 2025 at 5:01 PM
    Illustration of a blue shark showcasing its color-changing ability, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “These Sharks Are Masters of Disguise”: Astonished Scientists Uncover Blue Shark’s Unique Ability to Change Color in a Breathtaking Breakthrough

    July 12, 2025 at 8:52 AM
    Illustration of milk's superior hydration properties compared to water, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “This Drink Crushes Water”: Shocked Researchers Unveil Revolutionary Beverage That Delivers Unmatched Hydration and Redefines What Your Body Really Needs

    July 12, 2025 at 8:08 AM
    Illustration of scientists linking optical clocks across six nations to redefine the second, generated by artificial intelligence.

    “These Clocks Just Changed Time Forever”: Global Team Unites Ten Ultra-Precise Devices Across Six Countries to Radically Redefine the Second

    July 12, 2025 at 7:14 AM
    Illustration of an underwater volcano revealing giant eggs of the Pacific white skate, created by artificial intelligence.

    “These Eggs Shouldn’t Exist”: Shaken Scientists Confront Nightmarish Discovery as Underwater Volcano Exposes Thousands of Giant Living Spheres Hidden in the Abyss

    July 12, 2025 at 6:02 AM
Sustainability Times

Fires in the Amazon could send unique ecosystems up in smoke

Rosemary PotterRosemary PotterAugust 27, 2019 at 10:03 PM0
Share Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Telegram WhatsApp Email Copy Link
Follow Us
Google News
(photo: Wikipedia)
Share
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn WhatsApp Email Copy Link

“It was as if the day had turned into night,” Gianvitor Dias, a resident of Sao Paulo, lamented after wildfires began consuming many of the Amazon’s rainforests. Plumes of smoke covered much of the sunlight and turned the city into semi-darkness. “Everyone here commented, because even on rainy days it doesn’t usually get that dark,” he added.

According to Brazil’s National Space Research Institute (INPE), in the absence of effective action to protect them, forests in the Amazon, which is home to the world’s largest tropical rainforest, will likely be replaced by a grassland savanna by the end of the century. Such changes are driven by an increase in temperatures as a result of climate change, coupled with a substantial decline in precipitation across the region.

Yet even this prediction might be too optimistic. The Amazon’s forests are being destroyed at an alarming rate through fires, many of them likely set deliberately. The number of wildfires in the Amazon rainforests this year has hit a record of more than 74,000, according to INPE. Compared to the same period last year, this year’s numbers of wildfires have increased by 84%. Deforestation rates in the Amazon have also been growing since last year.

The drastic increase is largely the result of forest fires, most of which have taken place within just the past three weeks. Every minute an area of forest the size of a football pitch is being lost to fires and deliberate clearing, INPE says. Unless slash-and-burn forest clearing is stopped, large swathes of the Amazon could soon reach a tipping point.

Unique ecosystems would disappear or greatly diminish as a result. “We might be very, very close to the tipping point,” said Carlos Nobre, a climate scientist at the University of Sao Paulo, adding that once a threshold is crossed, the damage could well be “irreversible.”

The Amazon forest spans over 5.5 million square kilometers. The Amazon’s tropical rainforests cover almost 60% of Brazil and extend into other South American countries. These rainforests are home to nearly 30% of the world’s fauna and flora. A loss of the forests would mean a massive loss of biodiversity not only in Brazil but globally as well.

And there is little the forests themselves can do to protect themselves. Tropical rainforests produce plenty of moisture and humidity that can largely protect them from wildfires. Yet in a drying climate, deforestation and human activities like setting fires are reducing local forests’ fire-resistant capacities.

Raging fires in the Amazon could devastate entire ecosystems. (photo: Flickr)

This can lead to an increase in wildfires across forest areas, according to NASA. “The intensity and frequency of droughts in turn, have been linked with increases in regional deforestation and anthropogenic climate change,” the U.S. space agency said.

In Amazon countries cattle ranching is a mainstay of the local economy. However, animal husbandry requires large areas of unwooded land. As a result, fires are often set by ranchers to clear forests. The intensity of animal husbandry in the area accounts for as much as 80% of the current deforestation rate.

“It’s the best time to burn because the vegetation is dry,” CNN meteorologist Haley Brink said. “[Farmers] wait for the dry season and they start burning and clearing the areas so that their cattle can graze. And that’s what we’re suspecting is going on down there.”

Natural wildfires in rainforests, including the Amazon, are especially common in drier months. However, natural fires tend to remain small in scale, consuming mostly leaf litter and other dry matter. They rarely affect tall trees or their canopies higher up. Plants and animals in the Amazon rainforests are not well adapted to unusually intensive fires.

This means that raging fires can devastate indigenous species thriving in the Amazon to an extent that they may never recover. Many animal species like sloths, anteaters, amphibians as well as lizards are slow-moving and so are unable to escape from the heat, flames and smoke.

In long-term the burning fires could mean that the local rainforests’ ecosystems will be changed dramatically. The forests covered by dense canopies will be opened up by fires. Some species might benefit from this altered state of the rainforests, but most will not. For instance, animals that use camouflage and blend into their surroundings to protect themselves from predators will be more exposed to these predators without the benefit of enough foliage.

Likewise affected will be bird species that are dependent on niches deep within forests. They will be forced to relocate to other areas where they will have to compete with other species. “In a system that isn’t adapted to fire, you’ll have a lot more losers than you will in other landscapes,” said Mazeika Sullivan, an associate professor at Ohio State University’s School of Environment and Natural Resources.

Some conservationists have blamed Brazil’s government under President Jair Bolsonaro for the wildfires. Many government policies favor business sectors that are exploiting the Amazon, including loggers, miners and farmers. When he was running for president Bosonaro campaigned on exploring the economic prospects of the rainforests.

“For Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil’s wealth is in its industry,” said Marie-Pierre Ledru, a specialist in the Amazon. “He wants to transform the Amazon into an enormous plot for soy. Brazilian agricultural lobbies have started to explore the north of Amazonia with the aim of growing crops there when there’s winter in the south. The Brazilian president supports these efforts.”

Did you like it? 4.5/5 (20)

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

News, investigations, and analysis — our top stories every morning to start your day right.

Forest Wildlife
Follow on Google News Follow on X (Twitter)
Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Telegram WhatsApp Email Copy Link
Previous ArticleDying northern white rhinos may yet make it
Next Article WWF: the planet is losing forest biodiversity
Rosemary Potter
  • X (Twitter)

Rosemary Potter is a Chicago-based journalist for Sustainability Times, covering global sustainability challenges, environmental policy, science, business and climate resilience. A graduate of Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism, she blends investigative depth with a global perspective. Her reporting amplifies voices driving change across borders, industries, and ecosystems. Contact: [email protected]

Keep Reading
Illustration of Kenyan trees converting atmospheric carbon dioxide into stone, generated by artificial intelligence.

“These Trees Turn CO2 Into Stone”: Amazed Scientists Hail Kenya’s One-of-a-Kind Forest as the Ultimate Breakthrough Against Climate Change

Illustration of individuals attempting to cool down during a heatwave by drinking icy beverages, generated by artificial intelligence.

“Scientists Warn Everyone Makes This Deadly Heat Mistake”: Proven Ineffective Cooling Habit Spreads Every Summer, Endangering Lives Across America

Illustration of the Birdhouse Modular tiny house design, highlighting its flexible and eco-friendly features, generated by artificial intelligence.

“Modular Tiny House Totally Changed My Life”: Birdhouse’s Revolutionary Design Delivers Ultimate Flexibility and Style for Modern Small-Space Living

Add A Comment

Comments are closed.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

News, investigations, and analysis — our top stories every morning to start your day right.

Trending
Illustration of Millie, the 30-year-old tortoiseshell cat, enjoying a special cream cake on her birthday, generated by artificial intelligence.
“Bottled Water Saved Her Life”: World’s Oldest Cat Millie Thrives at Age 30 by Drinking Only Premium Water, Stunning Veterinarians Everywhere
Illustration of the hidden corridor discovered in the Great Pyramid of Giza, generated by artificial intelligence.
“These Hidden Passages Change Everything”: Stunned Archaeologists Unveil Secret Corridor Inside Egypt’s Great Pyramid of Giza, Shaking History to Its Core
Illustration of Kenyan trees converting atmospheric carbon dioxide into stone, generated by artificial intelligence.
“These Trees Turn CO2 Into Stone”: Amazed Scientists Hail Kenya’s One-of-a-Kind Forest as the Ultimate Breakthrough Against Climate Change
News by category
  • Featured
  • Cities
  • Climate
  • Energy
  • Impact
  • Markets
  • Opinions
  • Policy
  • Reports
  • Research
Information
  • About Us
  • Meet the Team
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Legal Mentions
  • Privacy Policy

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

News, investigations, and analysis — our top stories every morning to start your day right.

Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn YouTube TikTok
© Sustainability-Times.com. All rights reserved.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.