If we want to fully protect the Amazon, we must phase out fossil fuels | Opinion
Yahoo NewsJul 12, 2023
According to recently released government statistics, deforestation in Colombia dropped by 29% in 2022. This marks the lowest level in nearly ten years.
Columbian President Gustavo Petro has stated that his government is prioritizing protecting the environment, calling on wealthy nations to cancel foreign debt in exchange for preserving regions like the Amazon in a bid to tackle climate change.
The world needs the Amazon rainforest. Only through global climate action can we ensure a sustainable future for our planet. Eradicating deforestation is a priority as well as phasing out fossil-fuel development, not only in the Amazon but worldwide. Countries such as Columbia, while historically producing some of the lowest carbon emissions are facing the brunt of the fight alone. The Global North must commit to phasing out fossil fuel development so the global community can fight climate change in a more equitable way.
Current mainstream climate policies are often incredibly costly, and a lot of the conversations surrounding the potential consequences of climate change are vastly exaggerated. Greater emphasis must be placed on developing technology to explore and access the world's resources as humans continue to successfully adapt to a changing global environment.
There's an 85% chance that there will be at least 2˚C of global warming by 2100, according to the Metaculus prediction community.