Amazon Rainforest might reduce by 85% because of climate change

Global warming will mess up with attempts to save the Amazon rainforest, based on a negative new research that predicts that a third of its trees will be wiped out by even small temperature rises.

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The study, by some of Britain’s top specialists on climate change, implies that even serious reduces in deforestation and carbon emissions may fail to save the familiar South American jungle, the devastation of which has turned into a powerful symbol of human effect on the planet. Around 85% of the forest might be lost if spiralling greenhouse gas emissions are not taken under control, the experts claimed. However even under the most hopeful climate change scenarios, the damage of large parts of the forest is “irreversible”.

The study found that a 2C rise above pre-industrial levels, widely considered the ideal case global warming situation and the target for ambitious international plans to curb emissions, would still see 20-40% of the Amazon die off within 100 years. A 3C rise would see 75% of the forest destroyed by drought over the following century, while a 4C rise would kill 85%.

Peter Cox, professor of climate system dynamics at the University of Exeter,  earlier said the effects will be felt around the world. “Ecologically it might be a catastrophe and it would be taking a huge chance with our own climate. The tropics are drivers of the world’s weather systems and killing the Amazon is likely to change them forever. We don’t know precisely exactly what would happen but we could expect more severe weather. ” Enormous Amazon Rainforest loss would also amplify global warming “significantly” he said.

 

Tags: Amazon Rainforest, carbon emissions, climate change, climate change scenarios, deforestation, Global Warming, South America, temperature rises

Category: Environment, News