Washington DC (TDI): According to new satellite analysis from the University of Maryland’s GLAD laboratory and the World Resources Institute (WRI), an estimated 67,000 square kilometers of primary tropical rainforest were lost last year—an area nearly equivalent to the size of the Republic of Ireland.
This devastating loss, equivalent to 18 football fields per minute, was driven primarily by record-breaking fires, overtaking agricultural clearance for the first time on record.
The Amazon rainforest, already under stress, bore the brunt of the destruction amid the worst drought on record, fueled by both global warming and the El Niño climate pattern.
“This year’s data is frightening,” said Professor Matthew Hansen, co-director of the GLAD lab. “We’re increasingly seeing signs that critical ecosystems like the Amazon may be nearing a tipping point—a stage of irreversible decline, where rich rainforests could transform into savanna-like landscapes.”
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The consequences are far-reaching. The loss of primary tropical forests in 2024 released an estimated 3.1 billion tonnes of CO₂, roughly matching the annual emissions of the entire European Union. Once natural absorbers of carbon, these forests are now contributing to the climate crisis.
Yet, amid the grim statistics, South East Asia provided a glimmer of hope. Countries like Indonesia managed to reduce forest loss by 11%, thanks to effective enforcement of “no-burning” policies and strong political will.
Experts, including Elizabeth Goldman of Global Forest Watch, highlight these efforts as proof that sustainable progress is possible with consistent commitment and community involvement.
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As the world looks ahead to COP30, set to be hosted in the Amazon, attention is turning toward scalable forest protection strategies.
One promising approach under discussion is a financial reward system for countries that maintain intact tropical forests—potentially shifting the economic balance away from deforestation.
“This is a crucial moment,” said Rod Taylor of WRI. “We must treat tropical forests not as resources to exploit, but as global assets to protect—permanently.”
Areeba Kanwal is a contributor at The Diplomatic Insight and has passion for International Relations and diplomacy.
