Delegates from eight nations sharing the Amazon basin convened in Belém, Brazil for a two-day summit to address deforestation. Despite hopes for a unified approach to ending deforestation by 2030, the joint declaration issued lacked concrete measures, leaving each country to pursue its own conservation goals.
Climate activists expressed disappointment, emphasizing the urgency of the situation as temperature records continue to be shattered daily. Márcio Astrini of the Climate Observatory group urged for a more forceful stance on deforestation, emphasizing the need for zero tolerance.
Around 60% of the Amazon rainforest lies within Brazil, with Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela also represented at the gathering. Preserving the Amazon is crucial for global climate change efforts.
The summit marked an agreement by the eight nations to collaborate in combating illegal activities in the Amazon, including air space surveillance and information exchange against illegal mining and logging.
While disparities exist, the gathering amplifies the region's voice in climate change combat and serves as a precursor to the 2025 UN Climate Change conference. The summit coincided with the European Union's announcement that July had globally been the hottest month on record.
The Amazon's immense carbon-storing capacity underscores its significance in reducing global emissions. With temperatures already up by 1.1°C since the industrial era began, global efforts remain vital to curbing further increases.
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