The Amazon rainforest in Brazil saw a significant increase in the number of fires in 2024, marking the highest figure in 17 years as per government data released on Wednesday. This surge in wildfires came on the heels of an extended period of drought that had plagued the vast biome for months. Satellite imagery detected a staggering 140,328 fires throughout the year, a stark 42 percent rise from the 98,634 fires recorded in the previous year of 2023. In fact, this was the most extensive outbreak of forest fires since 2007 when a staggering 186,463 fires ravaged the region.
Despite the alarming spike in the number of fires, there were some positive signs indicating that the overall area affected by deforestation might be at its lowest in several years. In a report released in early November, the National Institute for Space Research (INPE) revealed that deforestation rates in the Amazon region for the 12-month period leading up to August 2024 had dropped by over 30 percent compared to the previous year, reaching the lowest level in nine years. This decline in deforestation is an encouraging development amidst the concerning increase in wildfires.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has placed a strong emphasis on preserving the Amazon, making it a key priority for his administration. In a significant move, Brazil is set to host the United Nations COP30 climate conference in November this year in Belem, an Amazonian city, underscoring the global importance of protecting the rainforest. The European Union’s Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service highlighted the impact of severe drought in 2024, which fueled wildfires across South America, including the Amazon.
The adverse effects of the wildfires were palpable, with thick smog enveloping major cities such as Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro, and Sao Paulo, leading to hazardous air quality that lingered for weeks. The persistent drought in the Amazon region since mid-2023, exacerbated by human-induced climate change and the El Nino warming phenomenon, created favorable conditions for the extensive blazes. While natural factors played a role, experts pointed out that the majority of fires were deliberately set by farmers to clear land for agricultural purposes, further exacerbating the crisis.
Scientists have issued warnings about the detrimental impact of continuous deforestation, emphasizing that it could push the Amazon to a tipping point where it emits more carbon than it absorbs, thereby hastening the pace of climate change. The delicate balance of the Amazon ecosystem is under threat, and urgent action is needed to safeguard this vital natural resource for future generations. The escalating wildfires in 2024 serve as a stark reminder of the pressing need for sustainable environmental practices and global cooperation to address the challenges posed by climate change.
