Climate warning
Image of Luis Arce

Luis Arce

Climate warning

Amazon nations fail to reach an agreement on common deforestation goals at the Belem Summit

On Tuesday, eight Amazon nations agreed to a list of unified environmental policies and measures to bolster regional cooperation at an extraordinary rainforest summit in Brazil. But the agreed-upon Belém Declaration came under scrutiny for its perceived lack of concrete measures to combat deforestation. This contentious issue magnified the varying viewpoints and intricate challenges facing the participating nations, preventing a consensus on the much-anticipated agreement
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At the centre of the debate was the concern of deforestation. The Amazon rainforest plays an indispensable role in absorbing the carbon dioxide emissions that propel the climate crisis and halting deforestation is one of our main important weapons again the climate crisis. Within this context, Brazilian President Lula's call for a shared objective to achieve zero deforestation by 2030 gained significance.
While the term "deforestation" found its way into the declaration a notable number of times, the goal of universal adherence to zero deforestation by 2030 was notably absent. Instead, the participating nations opted to establish an "Alliance for Combating Deforestation Among Member States." This alliance incorporated more watered-down modest national goals, reflecting the delicate balance between environmental preservation and economic development.
Discord, it seemed, stemmed from diverse political and economic interests and the reluctance of Bolivia's president Luis Arce to embrace a concrete deforestation target was the nail in the coffin. Environmental activists expressed their frustration, asserting that the absence of a clear commitment left the declaration lacking the transformative impact it could have brought.



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  • Videlis Eddie

    77 w

    This is sad they need to solve that to save our planet

    3
    • George Kariuki

      77 w

      I really thought we would get something out of the summit. Quite dissapointing,

      5
      • Lucinda Ramsay

        78 w

        Very frustrating for everyone

        7
        • Kevin

          78 w

          Let there be common climatic goals,this is a very sad scenario

          5
          • Peter Kamau

            78 w

            It's the high time that these nations put their vested interests aside and worked towards a common goal of salvaging the world's largest tropical forest.Delayed action plans will do more harm than good to this vital ecosystem that's a darling to the enormous flora and fauna therein.

            6
            • mercy nduta

              78 w

              Mother Earth is clearly urging a call to action.

              3
              • Grace Njeri

                78 w

                We cannot fight the climate crisis if we don't stop deforestation.

                6
              • Komu Daniel

                78 w

                Looking forward to this summit

                4
                • Rukia Ahmed Abdi

                  78 w

                  It's time we put the interests of our mother nature first. Everyone needs to come to the table and agree on solid initiatives.

                  13
                  • mercy nduta

                    78 w

                    @rukia_ahmed_abdi Restoring our damaged ecosystems is the only way to help combat climate change and prevent mass extinction.

                    4
                  • Gorffly mokua

                    78 w

                    This is disappointing! Failure to address this issue in time will result in irreversible consequences!

                    15
                    • Princess

                      78 w

                      It's disheartening. This missed opportunity not only jeopardizes the invaluable biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest but also undermines the global efforts to combat deforestation, climate change, and the protection of indigenous communities. I hope those nations can find a common ground soon for the sake of our planet's future.

                      6
                      • Marine Stephan

                        78 w

                        How can they expect to protect the Amazon if they don't plan on fighting deforestation...

                        6

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