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
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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77 w
This is sad they need to solve that to save our planet
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77 w
I really thought we would get something out of the summit. Quite dissapointing,
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78 w
Very frustrating for everyone
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78 w
Let there be common climatic goals,this is a very sad scenario
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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.
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78 w
Mother Earth is clearly urging a call to action.
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We cannot fight the climate crisis if we don't stop deforestation.
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@grace_njeri_804 Very true
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@grace_njeri_804 That's Beyond doubt.
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Looking forward to this summit
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It's time we put the interests of our mother nature first. Everyone needs to come to the table and agree on solid initiatives.
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@rukia_ahmed_abdi Restoring our damaged ecosystems is the only way to help combat climate change and prevent mass extinction.
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This is disappointing! Failure to address this issue in time will result in irreversible consequences!
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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.
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78 w
How can they expect to protect the Amazon if they don't plan on fighting deforestation...