The Amazon - a potential tipping point in the Earth's climate system

A factsheet on the Amazon as a potential tipping point in the Earth's climate system.

What is the concern?

The Amazon rainforest system is under extreme pressure, with 17%–20% of the forested area cleared over the past 50 years, the majority of which was converted into agricultural land. Of the remaining forest, 38% is currently considered degraded and at risk of disappearing. The combination of stressors originating both from climate change and deforestation could trigger a partial or total dieback of the Amazon rainforest in the near future, resulting in a critical transition from tropical forest to savanna.