Amazon Rainforest Faces Worst Fires and Drought in Nearly Two Decades

2024 saw record-breaking wildfires, severe drought, and rising deforestation threats, though conservation efforts showed some progress.

The Amazon experienced its worst year for wildfires since 2005, with over 37 million acres burned in Brazil alone by October 2024.
Extreme drought caused rivers like the Amazon's main tributaries to drop to historic lows, leading to states of emergency and resource shortages in affected regions.
Deforestation rates in Brazil and Colombia declined, with Brazil reporting a 30.6% drop compared to 2023, attributed to renewed conservation policies under President Lula da Silva.
Illegal activities, including gold mining and organized crime, continue to drive environmental destruction across the Amazon, fueled by global commodity demand.
The UN biodiversity conference (COP16) highlighted Indigenous leadership in conservation, with agreements to expand their role in protecting the rainforest.