In 2024, an estimated 67,000 square kilometers of tropical forests were lost, marking the fastest rate of deforestation recorded. The Amazon was particularly hard hit, with worsening drought conditions contributing to the crisis. While South East Asia showed some improvement due to effective policies, the global trend raises serious questions about the future resilience of these vital carbon-storing ecosystems.
Record Deforestation Rates of Tropical Forests Raise Alarms for Climate Health
Record Deforestation Rates of Tropical Forests Raise Alarms for Climate Health
New satellite data reveals that the world's tropical forests are disappearing at an unprecedented rate, mainly due to fires exacerbated by climate change.
The world's tropical forests, essential for combating climate change, have been obliterated at an alarming pace, with new satellite analytics indicating a significant uptick in deforestation rates last year. Research suggests that approximately 67,000 square kilometers (26,000 square miles) of these vital forests were lost in 2024—an area nearly equivalent to the size of the Republic of Ireland, translating to a staggering loss of around 18 football pitches every minute.
This latest analysis highlights that fire has overtaken agricultural land clearance as the principal driver of deforestation for the first time, with the Amazon being particularly vulnerable due to unprecedented droughts. While many regions are experiencing devastating losses, South East Asia has witnessed a more hopeful trend, attributed to successful governmental policies aimed at curbing forest destruction.
Tropical rainforests are critical as they sequester massive quantities of carbon within their soil and vegetation. However, this record-breaking loss has raised urgent concerns about their sustainability in the face of a warming planet. Experts warn that parts of the Amazon may be teetering on a "tipping point," beyond which irreversible degradation could occur. Professor Matthew Hansen from the University of Maryland labels the findings as "frightening," suggesting the potential for a transformation of rainforests into savanna-like landscapes if conditions continue to worsen.
A recent study echoed these concerns, emphasizing that significant dieback of the Amazon could materialize if global temperatures surpass the international threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius. Historically, the Amazon has played a vital role by absorbing more carbon dioxide (CO2) than it emits, but the rampant fires associated with deforestation now contribute significantly to atmospheric CO2 levels, fostering further climate change.
The year 2023-2024 saw the Amazon suffer its worst drought on record, a condition exacerbated by both climate change and natural warming patterns. While agricultural activities ignite many of these fires, the drought has created ideal conditions for flames to rage out of control, impacting Brazil and Bolivia most severely. Experts like Rod Taylor from the World Resources Institute note that these escalating wildfires signal a disturbing new phase of forest management, shifting the focus from merely agricultural clearance to a climate feedback loop amplifying fire intensity.
The collective impact of old-growth tropical forest loss has been estimated to release around 3.1 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases—roughly equivalent to emissions generated by the European Union. Nonetheless, there are signs of progress in some regions. In South East Asia, for instance, the area of primary forest loss in Indonesia decreased by 11%, attributed to active policy enforcement against burning practices.
Moving forward, researchers stress the critical importance of the upcoming UN climate summit (COP30) to foster innovative schemes aimed at forest protection, including potential financial incentives for countries that preserve their forests. Experts argue that tackling the challenge requires consistent commitment to environmental policies, suggesting that genuine and sustained efforts could yield tangible results in protecting these irreplaceable ecosystems.
