Significant Increase in Vegetation Fires in Brazil During 2024
Brazil sees a 79% rise in burnt vegetation, exceeding Italy's land area, as reported by MapBiomas.
The area of vegetation destroyed by fires in Brazil has risen by 79% in 2024, amounting to 30.8 million hectares, which is larger than the total land area of Italy, according to a report by the monitoring platform MapBiomas released on January 22. This marks the largest annual loss of vegetation in the Latin American country since 2019.
The Amazonas region, a vital natural area crucial for climate regulation, suffered the most significant impact, with approximately 17.9 million hectares burned, accounting for 58% of the total damage, surpassing the entirety of areas burned across the nation in 2023, the study highlights.
Reports indicate that over 140,000 fire incidences were noted in 2024, the highest figure in 17 years, marking a 42% increase compared to 2023. Experts attribute this surge to climate change, which has resulted in drier vegetation, facilitating the spread of fires, though the fires are predominantly initiated by human activities.
Ane Alencar, coordinator of the MapBiomas Fire platform, pointed out the fires' impact on crucial forest areas responsible for capturing carbon—a key factor in climate change.
In 2024, 8.5 million hectares of forests were devastated, compared to 2.2 million in 2023. Notably, for the first time, more forest area than pasture land was burned in the Amazon.
The state of Pará, where Belem serves as the capital, was the hardest hit, with 7.3 million hectares destroyed, roughly a quarter of the national total.
These developments present a challenge for President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's administration, which has prioritized environmental protection.
Despite a reported reduction in deforestation by over 30% as of August, the lowest in nine years, President Lula acknowledged in September that Brazil was not fully prepared to combat a wave of forest fires, which the government linked to 'climate terrorism.'
Slash-and-burn techniques used for clearing fields for agriculture or pastures, along with the illegal burning of forests to claim land, have been identified as contributing factors.
This environmental devastation underscores the urgency for action to address an environmental crisis exacerbated by extreme climate conditions, but primarily triggered by human activities.
The upcoming UN Climate Conference, COP30, to be held in Belem in November, will serve as a critical platform for Brazil to push towards the goals set by the Paris Agreement.
This task becomes more pressing as the United States, under the leadership of newly elected President Donald Trump, has announced plans to withdraw again from the Paris climate accord.
The primary goal of the Paris Agreement is to limit the increase in global average temperature to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with a further aim of restricting it to 1.5°C.
The Amazonas region, a vital natural area crucial for climate regulation, suffered the most significant impact, with approximately 17.9 million hectares burned, accounting for 58% of the total damage, surpassing the entirety of areas burned across the nation in 2023, the study highlights.
Reports indicate that over 140,000 fire incidences were noted in 2024, the highest figure in 17 years, marking a 42% increase compared to 2023. Experts attribute this surge to climate change, which has resulted in drier vegetation, facilitating the spread of fires, though the fires are predominantly initiated by human activities.
Ane Alencar, coordinator of the MapBiomas Fire platform, pointed out the fires' impact on crucial forest areas responsible for capturing carbon—a key factor in climate change.
In 2024, 8.5 million hectares of forests were devastated, compared to 2.2 million in 2023. Notably, for the first time, more forest area than pasture land was burned in the Amazon.
The state of Pará, where Belem serves as the capital, was the hardest hit, with 7.3 million hectares destroyed, roughly a quarter of the national total.
These developments present a challenge for President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's administration, which has prioritized environmental protection.
Despite a reported reduction in deforestation by over 30% as of August, the lowest in nine years, President Lula acknowledged in September that Brazil was not fully prepared to combat a wave of forest fires, which the government linked to 'climate terrorism.'
Slash-and-burn techniques used for clearing fields for agriculture or pastures, along with the illegal burning of forests to claim land, have been identified as contributing factors.
This environmental devastation underscores the urgency for action to address an environmental crisis exacerbated by extreme climate conditions, but primarily triggered by human activities.
The upcoming UN Climate Conference, COP30, to be held in Belem in November, will serve as a critical platform for Brazil to push towards the goals set by the Paris Agreement.
This task becomes more pressing as the United States, under the leadership of newly elected President Donald Trump, has announced plans to withdraw again from the Paris climate accord.
The primary goal of the Paris Agreement is to limit the increase in global average temperature to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with a further aim of restricting it to 1.5°C.
