Current Status and Challenges of Tropical Forest Destruction in the Amazon Region - 2020s

Current Status and Challenges of Tropical Forest Destruction in the Amazon Region - 2020s

In the 2020s, the destruction of tropical forests around the world, including the Amazon Rainforest, remains a serious problem. In the Amazon region of Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia in particular, deforestation is proceeding at a rapid pace, resulting in the loss of approximately 10 million hectares of forest annually. According to data from Brazil's National Institute of Space Research (INPE), by 2022, some 13,000 square kilometers of forest will have been cleared in the Amazon, a 22% increase over the previous year. This deforestation is mainly attributed to agricultural land development for soybean and beef production, as well as illegal cattle ranching activities.

### Agricultural and Corporate Impacts
Agricultural development and corporate activities are the main drivers of deforestation in the Amazon region. In Brazil in particular, cattle ranching is a major contributor to deforestation, with approximately 25% of the beef consumed worldwide coming from this region. In addition, soybeans grown in the Amazon are exported to China and Europe for use as livestock feed. American multinational corporations such as Cargill and Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) are deeply involved in soybean production in the Amazon, which is a major driver of deforestation.

Multinational corporations such as Johnson & Johnson (Johnson & Johnson) are also involved in the palm oil industry in the Amazon region. Palm oil is widely used in cosmetics, household products, and other products, and Johnson & Johnson, in particular, is one of the largest purchasers of palm oil worldwide. Although the company declares the use of sustainable palm oil, in reality, illegal logging and non-sustainable development of agricultural lands have led to the destruction of tropical forests. Deforestation associated with palm oil production has spread to Indonesia and Malaysia, as well as to the Amazon region, where forests are being lost.

### Substance and Climate Change Impacts
Tropical forests are responsible for about 30% of global CO2 absorption, so increasing deforestation will accelerate climate change. The Amazon rainforest used to absorb as much as 500 million tons of CO2 per year, but its absorption capacity has been greatly reduced due to deforestation. In addition, logged forests release large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere, increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases. As a result, global warming is accelerating, increasing the risk of extreme weather events and rising sea levels.

### Conservation and Restoration Efforts
In order to halt the destruction of the Amazon rainforest, the Brazilian government, international organizations, and NGOs are working together to promote conservation activities. For example, the Brazilian government has announced plans to launch a "Reforestation Program" in 2020 to reforest approximately 12 million hectares by 2030. In addition, international environmental NGOs such as WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) and Greenpeace are strengthening their activities to monitor illegal logging and are working with the Brazilian government and companies.

In addition, major technology companies such as Microsoft, Amazon, and Google are investing in Amazon forest conservation. These companies have developed a system that uses artificial intelligence (AI) and satellite imaging technology to monitor illegal logging in real time and instantly detect changes in the forest. This system enables early detection of illegal activities and legal action to be taken, helping to curb logging.

### Balancing Economy and Environment
In order to stop deforestation, it is important to strike a balance between economic benefits and environmental protection. In Brazil, the government is encouraging companies to adopt sustainable agricultural technologies in an effort to reduce deforestation while still securing agricultural profits. For example, major agricultural and consumer goods companies such as Cargill and Johnson & Johnson are participating in programs to certify sustainable soybean and palm oil production in an effort to offer environmentally friendly products to consumers and markets.

Thus, while deforestation in the Amazon region remains a serious problem in the 2020s, conservation efforts and technological innovations are gradually beginning to show signs of improvement. International cooperation and the promotion of sustainable development will be required in the future.