Amazon Wildfires Pushing Toward Global Ecological Catastrophe

We need urgent action to strengthen firefighting, enforce laws, support sustainable land use — and water.

Working for an organization dedicated to protecting the Amazon Rainforest was one of the most rewarding jobs I have ever had. Knowing that we were making a steady impact was mind-blowing. But above all, I learned a lot about this incredible ecosystem we all depend upon.

So, of course, even if I’m no longer working for the Amazon cause, I keep updated with the news and progress. If I see anything on the topic, I will jump straight to read it. Thus, we need to talk about the most recent events: wildfires.

Wildfires in the Brazilian Amazon’s old-growth forests increased by 152% in 2023, taking us ever closer to irreversible ecological tipping. While deforestation rates decreased last year, forest fires’ rising frequency and intensity highlight a worrying challenge to the Amazon Rainforest, one of Earth’s most vital environmental bastions.

Unfortunately, not all fires are created equal. The consequences of Amazonian fires go far beyond their immediate destruction; they bring us closer to an irreversible ecological shift known as the “Amazon tipping point.” Read this story to know more, but in short, it refers to a critical threshold at which the rainforest’s ecological systems deteriorate and transform into a dry savannah.

One of the most concerning aspects of the increased fire regime, particularly in eastern Amazonia — where much of the rainforest’s precipitation is generated — is how it accelerates us toward this tipping point. The eastern Amazon generates moisture that sustains the entire forest’s precipitation as clouds move from East to West. When fires ravage this area, they destroy the forest and diminish its ability to regenerate and maintain the hydrological cycles essential for rain production across the region.

The global consequences of reaching the Amazon tipping point could be devastating. The Amazon influences rainfall patterns across the Western Hemisphere and affects the Atlantic Ocean’s currents. A diminished Amazon would lead to altered weather patterns globally, affecting agricultural productivity, food security, and water availability.

For instance, many areas in Brazil, including São Paolo, have been experiencing severe droughts in recent years, especially those coinciding with El Niño-La Niña cycles. During the 2014 drought, water reservoirs were left at a tiny 5 percent of their capacity for the city and its surrounding population of 22 million. The 2018 drought could have been equally devastating if it hadn’t been for the measures implemented by the state government, which created a program of rational water use and adapted the water system by connecting reservoirs.

In 2021, the water levels on the Paraná River were around 8.5 meters (30 feet) below average near the Brazil and Paraguay border. The low water threatened to disrupt cargo ship traffic, making transporting goods more expensive (economic consequences). The drier-than-normal weather also affected the production of important Brazilian crops such as coffee, corn, sugarcane, and oranges. Coffee production in São Paulo state dropped above its normal biannual cycles. (I know many people who’ll be very mad when coffee prices start changing!)

Further, the Cantareira Water Supply System, which sustains around half of São Paulo’s metropolitan region, is increasingly inundated with sediment that needs to be dredged regularly to make the water drinkable, something uncommon in the reservoir. The accumulating sediment is wearing down infrastructures, adding to maintenance costs.

However, the consequences of increased deforestation and wildfires go beyond regional water supplies. The loss of the Amazon as a carbon sink would exacerbate the pace of global climate change, turning the region from a net absorber of carbon dioxide into a source — something already documented in some areas of the Amazon — releasing millions of tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Addressing the increased fire regimes in the Amazon requires us to think strategically and take a multi-faceted approach. Firstly, we need to strengthen the enforcement of anti-deforestation laws and enhance the capabilities of firefighting brigades. International cooperation and funding are needed to support these actions, especially considering that Amazon’s health is a global concern: it regulates climate worldwide.

Technological solutions also play a critical role. Improved satellite monitoring can detect early signs of deforestation and fire outbreaks, enabling quicker responses. Additionally, leveraging artificial intelligence can help predict fire outbreaks, helping to prevent them before they even occur.

Community involvement is equally crucial. Indigenous and local communities are the most affected by these fires and are also the most knowledgeable about traditional land management practices that can mitigate fire risks. Supporting these communities in implementing sustainable land use practices and incorporating their knowledge into broader fire prevention strategies can significantly reduce the incidence of uncontrolled fires.

Research and education are essential tools in this fight. Increasing public awareness about the importance of the Amazon and its tipping point can drive global action. In addition, ongoing research into sustainable agricultural practices that reduce the need for slash-and-burn clearing can decrease fire risks and promote economic development without further harming the forest.

The fight against the rising tide of wildfires in the Amazon is emotionally draining but not a lost cause. Not yet. We can protect this invaluable ecological treasure with a combined effort that includes stronger policy enforcement, community engagement, technological innovation, and international cooperation. Doing so is about preserving a forest and safeguarding our global climate future and economies. The message is clear: the time to act to ensure that the Amazon continues to thrive for generations to come is now.