Climate Change

The Amazon has become a net greenhouse gas emitter. Here's what that means

image of the Amazon jungle burning

Fires and deforestation are causing the Amazon Basin to emit greenhouse gases. Image: REUTERS/Nacho Doce

Liz Kimbrough
Journalist, Mongabay
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image of fire at the borders of the Kaxarari Indigenous Land, in Lábrea, Amazonas state
Fires in the Amazon are often caused by humans for agricultural reasons. Image: Greenpeace/Christian Braga
image of dead trees in a canal constructed for the Belo Monte Dam project in Brazil.
Dead trees in a canal constructed for the Belo Monte Dam project in Brazil. Image: Greenpeace/Daniel Beltrá
a diagram of how agriculture can damage the Amazon ecosystem
Human activity is damaging the Amazon ecosystem and adding to climate change. Image: Covey et al 2021.
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image of a person from an indigenous community holding eggs of a bird belonging to Tinamou order, Colombia
Person from an indigenous community holding eggs of a bird belonging to Tinamou order, Colombia. Image: Rhett A. Butler
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Climate ChangeBrazilForests
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