Amazon: A Global Life Support System
The Amazon rainforest, the world’s largest tropical forest and home to unparalleled biodiversity, is a central pump of the global water cycle, a cornerstone of global ecological stability, and a critical player in the fight against climate change. As humanity navigates the transition to a low-carbon and regenerative future, safeguarding the Amazon is not just a moral imperative but an environmental necessity to sustain life on earth.
Amazonia’s Unique Role in Climate Stability
The Amazon holds approximately 150 billion tons of carbon, serving as one of Earth’s most vital carbon sinks. Its vast expanse of water and life, stored in soil and vegetation, sustains ecosystems. The forest produces 20% of the world’s freshwater, influencing rainfall patterns and temperatures across continents. These hydrological cycles are essential for global food security, water availability, and climate resilience.
However, deforestation, driven by agriculture, cattle ranching, and resource extraction, has already affected 26% of the forest. These activities accelerate biodiversity loss, disrupt global rain patterns, and threaten water and food security. Addressing these challenges requires urgent restoration of the Amazon’s hydrological and ecological functions.
Biodiversity: The Heart of the Amazon
With an estimated 30% of global biodiversity residing in the Amazon, it represents a treasure trove of untapped potential for industries such as pharmaceuticals, sustainable agriculture, and biomaterials. The region’s biodiversity is vital for planetary health and human survival, yet it faces unparalleled threats from habitat destruction and climate change.
Traditional knowledge, held by Indigenous and local communities, has safeguarded this biodiversity for millennia. These communities, with their holistic approaches to living in harmony with nature, are indispensable allies in biodiversity conservation and climate adaptation efforts.
Cultural and Economic Dimensions
The Amazon basin is home to over 47 million people, including over 2 million Indigenous people from more than 500 distinct nations. Their social technologies and ancestral knowledge embody resilience and sustainable practices essential for a regenerative future. Recognizing and incorporating these cultural values into global strategies ensures a just and inclusive transition.
Economically, the Amazon offers immense opportunities through its regenerative bioeconomy. Sustainable practices like agroforestry can generate up to $10,000 per hectare annually, compared to $250 from cattle ranching. The regenerative bioeconomy promotes job creation, restores ecosystems, and aligns with the Belém Declaration, global climate and biodiversity commitments, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).