Finally some good news for our planet's tropical forests?

The historic meeting held in Brazzaville on October 26, 2023 between the countries of the three main tropical forest basins on the planet (Amazon, Congo, Borneo-Mekong) gave rise to renewed hope for the protection of our tropical forests. planet. These three basins, which represent 80% of Earth's tropical forests and are home to around a third of terrestrial biodiversity, play a crucial role in combating climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and regulating the climate.

However, despite their importance, these precious ecosystems face a growing threat: deforestation. In 2022, deforestation increased by 4% in these regions, largely due to the conversion of forests to land for livestock and agriculture. In Africa, deforestation is progressing rapidly, mainly to meet the needs of subsistence agriculture, while in the Amazon and Southeast Asia, forests are being cleared for agriculture and livestock for export. .

Faced with this growing threat, the countries of these three forest basins have decided to unite to form an alliance aimed at finding concrete solutions to combat deforestation. This initiative is of crucial importance, as it aims to prevent "leakage effects", where deforestation moves to countries with less strict forest conservation standards.

In addition, the member countries of this alliance want to regain control of the sale of carbon credits, a mechanism that allows developed countries to invest in projects to reduce carbon emissions in developing countries in exchange for carbon credits. However, according to an investigation by The Guardian newspaper, 90% of these carbon credits do not actually contribute to reducing emissions, highlighting the importance of regulating and reforming this market.

The European Union also took steps in 2022 to combat imported deforestation, but challenges remain, particularly around product traceability and ensuring that imported products do not contribute to the destruction of tropical forests.

While waiting for more concrete measures to be put in place at the international level, certain non-governmental organizations, such as Planète Urgence, are working to help local communities protect and replant their forests. They also ensure that these communities have access to sustainable livelihoods, thereby contributing to the preservation of forests.

From an individual point of view, it is essential that everyone reviews their consumption of products with a high impact on forests, such as meat, cocoa, palm oil and coffee. By reducing our demand for these products, we can help reduce pressure on tropical forests and protect these ecosystems that are vital to the health of our planet.

In short, the alliance of countries from the three main tropical forest basins represents a glimmer of hope in the fight against deforestation. However, much remains to be done to preserve these critical ecosystems and combat climate change, and this requires the commitment of the international community as well as individual actions. The protection of tropical forests is a crucial cause for the future of our planet and its biodiversity.