Amazon under threat: Fires, loggers and now virus (5-21-20)

Amazon under threat: Fires, loggers and now virus

Camilla Costa, Visual Journalism Americas, BBC News

5-21-20

The Amazon rainforest – which plays a vital role in balancing the world’s climate and helping fight global warming – is also suffering as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Deforestation jumped 55% in the first four months of 2020 compared with the same period last year, as people have taken advantage of the crisis to carry out illegal clearances. Deforestation, illegal mining, land clearances and wildfires were already at an 11-year high and scientists say we’re fast approaching a point of no return – after which the Amazon will no longer function as it should.

Read the full text: https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-51300515