Climate change is not an isolated phenomenon impacting only glaciers or polar species. Its effects are increasingly being felt in our forests—vital ecosystems that regulate the climate, protect biodiversity, and sustain human life. In this article, we explore how the climate crisis is transforming forest landscapes and what this means for our shared future.
1. Wildfires: From Natural Processes to Constant Crises
For decades, forest fires were part of the natural regeneration cycle. However, global warming has intensified their frequency, duration, and severity.
Key facts:
- In Canada, the average burned area rose from 2 million hectares per year in the 1970s to over 8 million hectares in 2023 (Canadian Wildland Fire Information System).
- In the Brazilian Amazon, fire activity increased by 75% between 2010 and 2020 (INPE – National Institute for Space Research).
- Bolivia lost more than 2 million hectares of forest in 2023 alone, much of it within protected areas (Fundación Amigos de la Naturaleza).
- In Chile, the 2022–2023 fire season was the most destructive in a decade, with over 430,000 hectares affected (CONAF).
These figures are not only alarming due to the area burned, but also because of the carbon emissions generated. In 2023 alone, wildfires released more than 2.7 billion tons of CO₂ into the atmosphere (Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service).
2. Accelerated Deforestation: Climate as a New Driver of Forest Loss
Traditionally, deforestation has been linked to agriculture, mining, and illegal logging. But today, climate change has emerged as a major driver:
- Warmer winters are accelerating the spread of pests and diseases.
- Hurricanes, storms, and prolonged droughts are wiping out large swaths of forest.
- Dry soils weaken trees and make them more vulnerable to fires.
According to the FAO (2020), more than 10 million hectares of forest are lost globally each year. In Latin America, the Amazon remains one of the most vulnerable regions. In Brazil, over 1.5 million hectares are lost annually due to a combination of deforestation and extreme weather events.
3. Tree Species Loss: A Silent Extinction
Trees, too, are struggling to adapt to the rapid changes brought by climate change. Many species are unable to cope with shifts in temperature, humidity, or rainfall.
Observable trends include:
- Altitudinal migration: species that once thrived at 1,000 meters now only survive at higher elevations, where temperatures are cooler.
- Disrupted phenological cycles: flowering, fruiting, and growth patterns no longer follow historic rhythms, affecting both trees and the wildlife that depend on them.
Some species, like Norway spruce in Scandinavia or oak in parts of Mexico, are at risk because they cannot adapt or migrate in time. Their loss creates a domino effect—without native trees, insects, birds, and mammals that depend on them also disappear.
4. Why Should We Care?
Forests absorb around 8.1 billion tons of CO₂ per year (Global Carbon Project). When we lose forests, that carbon is released back into the atmosphere, accelerating global warming.
Protecting forests is not only about preserving biodiversity—it’s also about safeguarding one of the most powerful natural tools we have to mitigate climate change.
5. What Can We Do?
Despite the complexity of the situation, there is still time to act:
- Support reforestation and ecological restoration projects.
- Choose products with sustainable forestry certifications (e.g., FSC, PEFC).
- Educate ourselves and advocate for public policies that protect forests.
- Raise our voices—from science, activism, or everyday life.
Conclusion: Act to Resist
Protecting our forests is not just an environmental duty—it’s a matter of climate and social justice. Every hectare lost is not only a vital source of oxygen and biodiversity, but also a blow to communities that depend on the forest for survival. In a world where climate change is accelerating, inaction is no longer an option.
Inform yourself. Demand better policies. Support restoration efforts. Rethink consumption habits.
The planet’s future lies in the forests we choose to protect today.
To act is to resist.
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