More than 100 world leaders have pledged to end deforestation by 2030
More than 100 world leaders have pledged to end deforestation by 2030 in the first major deal at the Glasgow climate summit. Countries that supported the decision include Brazil, Russia, Canada, Colombia, the US, the UK and Indonesia. It is noted that in total these countries account for about 85% of the world’s forests. The agreement includes the allocation of $20 billion, part of which will be used to restore already damaged forest areas and fight forest fires. The governments of 28 countries also pledge to stop deforestation for agricultural production, in particular for the production of palm oil, cocoa and soybeans.
Fires uncharacteristic for this time of year are raging in South America
The fires in Colombia this month are unusual for a country where people are more accustomed to heavy rain and landslides than fires and ash. They have been linked to high temperatures and drought, exacerbated by the climate phenomenon known as El Niño. In Brazil, fires have destroyed large swaths of rainforest in recent years. Chile has declared two days of national mourning for those killed in the devastating forest fires that engulfed the Valparaiso region. Already 112 people have become victims of the disaster.
Large-scale floods and landslides continue in South America
Typically, the rainy season in Colombia begins in August, but this year some areas of the country were hit by heavy rains as early as late March and early April. Between 1998 and 2020, climate change-related natural disasters killed 312,000 people in Latin America and the Caribbean. Overall, more than 277 million people were affected to some extent.