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Getting REDD-y: conservation and climate change in Latin America
Latin American Research Review
|December 21, 2011
Summary
Deforestation in Latin America, a major source of greenhouse gases, is being mitigated by expanding protected areas. New funding mechanisms like REDD could bolster these efforts, but challenges remain.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Climate Change Research
- Conservation Biology
Background:
- Deforestation in Latin America, particularly the Amazon, significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and global warming.
- Protected areas are crucial for mitigating forest loss and providing essential environmental services like carbon sequestration and rainfall regulation.
Observation:
- The extent of protected forests in Latin America has grown substantially since 1980, now covering 20% of the region and over 40% of Amazonia.
- Amazonian rainforests sequester approximately 40% of Latin America's carbon emissions.
Findings:
- Protected areas are vital for climate change mitigation, offering services that counteract global warming impacts.
- The expansion of protected areas offers a scalable solution to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD).
Implications:
- Financial compensation mechanisms, such as REDD, could provide much-needed funding to strengthen the role of protected areas.
- Addressing implementation and governance challenges is critical for the success of protected areas and REDD initiatives.
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