Deforestation is costing Brazilian farmers millions

Illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Economist or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: A new study by the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and Rainforest Foundation Norway (RFN) reveals that deforestation in Brazil's Amazon has caused $1 billion in crop yield losses between 2006 and 2019
• Clear-cutting has disrupted water cycles, delaying rains and increasing temperatures, reducing yields for key crops like soybeans and maize
• Experts warn that continued deforestation could worsen economic losses and threaten global food security

🔭 The context: Brazil’s agricultural expansion into the Amazon has turned it into a global food powerhouse but at a high environmental cost
• Between 1999 and 2019, rainfall in heavily deforested areas decreased by up to 40% during cropping seasons, with temperatures rising 2.5°C
• Despite the economic impact, many Brazilian farmers remain skeptical of the connection between deforestation and reduced yields

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The Amazon rainforest is critical for global climate regulation, with deforestation contributing to rising temperatures and biodiversity loss
• Reforestation could help restore rainfall patterns, supporting sustainable agriculture and mitigating climate impacts

⏭️ What's next: Experts recommend halting deforestation and pursuing reforestation efforts in areas like Pará, which could boost rainfall and mitigate crop losses
• However, resistance from agribusiness and skepticism among farmers present major barriers to change

💬 One quote: “They say we’re guilty of agri-phobia, but they’re committing agri-suicide” – Britaldo Soares-Filho, lead author of the UFMG study

📈 One stat: Rainfall in deforested regions has declined by 40% during soy-cropping seasons between 1999 and 2019, leading to smaller harvests

Click for more news covering the latest on biodiversity