A team of British and
Brazilian scientists have
warned that a widespread
drought in the Amazon
rainforest during 2010
was even worse than the
“once-in-a-century”
dry spell of 2005.
In a new study published
in the journal “Science,”
they evaluated rainfall
data collected via satellite
during the prolonged
2010 dry season,
as well as information
from trees in throughout
the Amazon.
The scientists found
an alarming 60% increase
over 2005 in the regions
covered by dead trees
along with
more intense drought.
As the renowned
“lungs of the Earth,”
the Amazon rainforest
normally absorbs
over 25% of the world's
greenhouse gas emissions,
or some 1.5 billion tons
of CO2.
But the billions of trees
that perished in the
drought this past year,
scientists say the Amazon
is now forecast to release
5 billion tons
in the coming years,
potentially leading to
runaway climate change.
Moreover,
global climate models
forecast more frequent
Amazon droughts,
further aggravating
potential risks.
Research leader
Dr. Simon Lewis of
the University of Leeds
in the United Kingdom
cautioned, “We can't just
wait and see because
there is no going back.
We won't know we have
passed the point where
the Amazon turns
from a sink to a source
until afterwards,
when it will be too late.”
We thank Dr. Lewis and
colleagues for sharing
these critical findings that
foretell the predicament
of not only the Amazon
region but also the globe.
Let us heed
such disturbing changes
by swiftly adopting
the most eco-friendly
lifestyles to protect
the treasured Amazon
and indeed the planet.
During an April 2009
videoconference,
Supreme Master Ching Hai
emphasized the need
to tread more lightly
in the ecosphere
to ensure the survival
of the Earth
and all her inhabitants.
Saving the world's
tropical forests,
the lungs of the Earth,
is one of the very
important priorities.
Because when the
tropical rainforests are
destroyed, there are many
frightening side effects.
It's not just
the permanent changes to
the world's temperature,
rainfall, and
weather patterns which
the forests regulate.
It's not just about
the millions of people
who might lose
their livelihoods that
depend on the forests.
The rainforests
themselves normally
are our protectors, but as
the climate gets warmer,
instead of absorbing CO2
to protect our planet's
climate, they will be
emitting back CO2 as well.
They will not be helping us,
the rainforests,
if the climate gets warmer.
But instead,
they will be worsening
the global warming problem.
Stop the livestock
industry - that would be
the most effective way
to halt global warming
and restore our planet.
It will save
our precious forests.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/special-report-catastrophic-drought-in-the-amazon-2203892.html http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12356835http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/feb/03/tree-deaths-amazon-climatehttp://news.discovery.com/earth/amazon-drought-of-2010-sign-of-forest-fatigue.html
http://www.ouramazingplanet.com/amazon-drought-2010-climate-change-110203-1059/
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