
A surge in wildfires across the globe fueled a record-breaking year for forest loss in 2024, according to recent data. The unprecedented destruction highlights the escalating impact of climate change and human activities on vital ecosystems, raising concerns about biodiversity, carbon emissions, and the livelihoods of millions who depend on forests.
The tropics experienced the most significant devastation, with a record 6.7 million hectares of primary rainforest disappearing in 2024. This is nearly double the loss recorded in 2023 and equates to a staggering 18 football fields of forest vanishing every minute. The primary driver behind this surge was wildfires, which accounted for almost half of the total loss in the tropics.
Brazil, home to the largest expanse of tropical rainforest, saw a dramatic increase in forest loss due to fires. The Amazon biome experienced a 110% jump in loss compared to 2023, with 60% attributed to fires. Neighboring Bolivia witnessed an even more alarming 200% increase in primary forest loss, placing it second in the global ranking of forest destruction. Experts attribute this surge to government policies incentivizing large-scale agricultural development through tax breaks and subsidies, coupled with the widespread use of fire for land clearing.
Climate change is exacerbating the risk and intensity of wildfires, creating a dangerous feedback loop. Rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and altered rainfall patterns are drying out vegetation and making forests more susceptible to ignition. In 2024, many regions experienced record-breaking heat and drought conditions, further fueling the flames.
The Pantanal, Brazil's tropical wetland, suffered the highest percentage of tree cover loss of any biome, with 1.6% of its tree cover disappearing. Research indicates that fires in the Pantanal were 40% more intense due to climate change. The increased frequency and intensity of wildfires can overwhelm the natural resilience of forest ecosystems, hindering their ability to recover and potentially leading to long-term degradation.
While the tropics bore the brunt of the devastation, wildfires also drove significant tree cover loss outside the tropics, particularly in Canada and Russia. Global tree cover loss reached a record high in 2024, increasing by 5% compared to 2023, reaching 30 million hectares. This marked the first time that major fires raged across both tropical and boreal forests since record-keeping began.
The fires resulted in an estimated 4.1 gigatonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to more than four times the emissions from air travel in 2023. The destruction of boreal forests, which store vast amounts of carbon in their soils, further contributes to climate change and underscores the global implications of wildfire-driven forest loss.
While natural factors play a role in wildfire ignition, human activities are a major catalyst for forest fires, particularly in the tropics. Many fires are intentionally set to clear land for agriculture, cattle ranching, and mining. These fires often spread out of control, engulfing vast areas of forest and causing widespread damage.
In addition to intentional burning, deforestation and forest degradation increase the risk of wildfires by creating drier and more fragmented landscapes. Logging, infrastructure development, and other land-use changes can disrupt forest ecosystems and make them more vulnerable to fire.
The consequences of widespread forest loss are far-reaching. Forests play a crucial role in regulating the global climate by absorbing carbon dioxide, maintaining rainfall patterns, and providing habitat for countless species. Deforestation contributes to climate change, biodiversity loss, soil erosion, and water scarcity. It also disrupts the livelihoods of millions of people who depend on forests for their sustenance and well-being.
Addressing the escalating crisis of wildfire-driven forest loss requires a multi-faceted approach. This includes:
The record forest loss in 2024 serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to protect and restore the world's forests. Addressing the drivers of deforestation and investing in sustainable forest management are essential to safeguard biodiversity, mitigate climate change, and secure the livelihoods of millions of people. The time to act is now, before it is too late to reverse the devastating trend of forest loss and protect these vital ecosystems for future generations.

BELÉM, Brazil — The 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change concluded recently in Belém, Brazil, against a backdrop of stark scientific warnings and an increasingly palpable climate crisis. Delegates gathered in the heart of the Amazon, a critically important ecosystem for global climate regulation, tasked with translating ambitious pledges into concrete action as the planet experiences unprecedented warming and extreme weather events intensify worldwide

Belém, Brazil – The bustling Amazonian metropolis of Belém recently hosted the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) from November 10 to 21, 2025, an event that placed the city at the epicenter of global climate discussions and brought with it a whirlwind of change, expectation, and contentious debate for its 1.4 million residents. Positioned at the mouth of the Amazon River, Belém offered a unique backdrop for the summit, symbolizing the direct impact of climate change on vulnerable ecosystems and communities

BELÉM, Brazil – As world leaders and environmental advocates converged in Belém for the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) from November 10 to 21, 2025, the crucial discussions on global warming and forest protection unfolded against a stark backdrop of escalating organized crime in the Amazon. While the international community grappled with ambitious climate targets, the pervasive influence of Brazilian crime cartels engaged in illicit activities like illegal mining, logging, and drug trafficking continues to severely jeopardize the very ecosystems COP30 aims to save, posing a formidable challenge to Brazil's environmental commitments and global climate stability.
The Amazon rainforest, a critical global carbon sink and biodiversity hotspot, has increasingly become a battleground for powerful national and transnational criminal networks