Buenos Aires, December 15th, 2004– Greenpeace today called upon Governments to take action to save the Amazon from the devastating twin impacts of deforestation and climate change. The Amazon basin shelters the world's largest and most magnificent tropical ancient forest, covering some 700 millions of hectares in 9 countries - an area the size of the continental US.

The Amazon contains up to 30% of the earth’s terrestrial biodiversity but is under threat from human activities such as logging, road building, forest fires, settlements and the clearing of land for cattle ranching and agriculture – primarily soya production.

“Since the Earth Summit in Rio (1992), the Brazilian Amazon has lost more than 230,000 square kilometers of forests due to human activities - an area larger than mainland Britain,” said Greenpeace Amazon coordinator, Paulo Adario, “CO2 emissions from deforestation and burning in the Amazon are the main Brazilian contributions to climate change and there is growing evidence that climate change is drying out the forests,” he added.

The Amazon plays an important role in the global climate system and regional water cycle, storing large quantities of carbon and fresh water. The network of 100,000 kilometers of rivers is dependent on the standing forest, as 50% of the rainfall in the region is produced in the Amazon itself.

A drier forest leads to more forest fires. Increased CO2 emissions contribute to more climate change. This in turn dries out the forest even more, making it more susceptible to fires and dieback in a vicious and devastating cycle.

“The Amazon is both a victim and a villain here, creating climate change through deforestation and subsequently suffering from its impacts. It is caught between two destructive forces and their combined effects could turn the rainforest into grassland and desert if measures are not taken to stop deforestation and combat climate change.” said Greenpeace Brazil Campaign Director, Marcelo Furtado, speaking from the international climate negotiations in Buenos Aires.

Greenpeace believes Governments must take urgent action to stop deforestation, and commit to the massive CO2 reductions needed to save the millions currently at risk from climate impacts and protect the earth’s biodiversity and the cultures of forest communities.

For Further information at COP 10 contact:

Marcelo Furtado, Greenpeace Brazil campaign Director+ 54 911 5385 8877
Natalia Truchi, Greenpeace International Media Officer + 54 911 4031 5222 (video footage & pictures).

In Manaus:
Paulo Adario, Greenpeace Amazon Coordinator + 55 928 1158928
Tica Minami, Greenpeace International Media Officer + 55 929 9952070

Read "Amazon under threat" report

 

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