The Amazon is close to the point of no return. COP16 is a critical opportunity to act

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on the World Economic Forum or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: The Amazon rainforest is approaching a critical tipping point due to a devastating fire season worsened by deforestation, drought, and climate change
• The upcoming COP16 summit in Colombia represents a crucial opportunity for governments to act decisively on biodiversity and nature conservation

🔭 The context: Recent data from WWF’s Living Planet Report 2024 shows a 73% decline in wildlife populations over 50 years, making ecosystems more vulnerable
• The Amazon's "flying rivers" that transport moisture have transformed into smoke corridors, exacerbating regional and global environmental impacts

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The Amazon holds over 10% of Earth's species and plays a key role in global climate regulation
• Losing it would release billions of tons of CO2, pushing climate goals out of reach and severely impacting biodiversity and human communities

⏭️ What's next: COP16 must lead to bold, funded action plans to meet the commitments made at COP15
Governments and businesses must transform food, energy, and finance systems to halt biodiversity loss and protect vital ecosystems like the Amazon

💬 One quote: “We already have the solutions... But their success depends on the decisions we make and the actions we take over the next five years” – Kirsten Schuijt, WWF International

📈 One stat: WWF’s 2024 report reveals a catastrophic 73% decline in monitored wildlife populations between 1970 and 2020

Click for more news covering the latest on biodiversity and ethical governance