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Tropical forests play a critical role in global climate patterns
Tuesday, December 25th 2007
Dear Editor,
Caricom Secretary General, Dr Edwin Carrington said a call was made for new
policies and incentives to be a central part of the negotiations with
respect to the development of mechanisms to Reduce Emissions from
Deforestation and Degradation (REDD). Tropical forests moderate local
climates by heating and cooling the air and water, helping maintain humidity
and offering protection from wind.
More than half the precipitation that falls on land is 'breathed out' by
plants, and contributes to the rainfall received by downwind regions. It is
estimated that half of the Amazon region's rainfall is generated by the
forest itself. Tropical forest may play a critical role in global climate
patterns, and continuing deforestation could alter those patterns.
Deforested lands reflect sunshine back into space, affecting convection
patterns, wind currents, and rainfall in areas far from the tropics. In
1980, the clearing of tropical forests added an estimated 1.7 billion tons
of carbon to the atmosphere each year as carbon dioxide. That CO2
contributes to the 'greenhouse effect' which is believed to be causing
global warming, rising ocean levels, and increased climate variability.
Vigorous efforts are needed to slow and reverse current rates of
deforestation. These include establishing tropical forest reserves to
protect forested lands, and improving management of unprotected forested
lands to ensure their sustainable use. Development projects involving
unstainable land use practices must be halted. Reforestation projects and
other programmes to make deforested land productive must be expanded. Land
reform and improvements in agricultural productivity are also important.
Population growth must be slowed, and the demand for forest products curbed.
Tropical forests provide essential services, not only for their immediate
surroundings, but also for the earth as a whole. Forests moderate air
temperature, maintain the hydrologic cycle by absorbing rainfall and
releasing moisture to the atmosphere, and take in carbon dioxide and
generate oxygen through photosynthesis. They recycle nutrients and waste,
control soil erosion and sedimentation of waterways, and regulate stream and
river flows, helping to moderate floods and droughts. Tropical forests also
prevent or limit landslides and rockfalls during rainstorms and earthquakes
and moderate damage from tropical cyclones. When tropical forests are
degraded, these essential functions are lost or jeopardized.
Every effort should be made to reduce greenhouse emissions and
deforestation.
Yours faithfully,
Mohamed Khan
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