The Amazon has been covered by rainforest for 55 million years, but a new study suggests that the region is nearing a tipping point which could transform its humid ecosystem into a dry and fire-prone savanna. This would threaten the habitat of one in ten of Earth’s species and release much of the 123 billion tonnes of carbon bound up in the rainforest’s trees and soil, accelerating the climate crisis.

The researchers studied satellite data on remote patches of the Amazon from the last 30 years and concluded that 75% of the rainforest has become less resilient since the early 2000s and is taking longer to recover from successive droughts. But Simon Willock, Gregory Cooper and John Dearing, ecologists at Bangor, Sheffield and Southampton universities, who were not involved in the study, question whether there is yet enough evidence to determine whether the Amazon’s point of no return is approaching. However, they say, it might still arrive sooner than once expected.

The war raging in Ukraine is expected to have far-reaching consequences. In the UK, the government’s desire to boost defence spending in response to the conflict could relegate its plans for increasing welfare investment, says one economist. And find out which type of vitamin D supplement is most important for your health.

Contact us here to have your event listed.

For sponsorship opportunities, email us here