• For full details of graphics available/in preparation, see Menu -> Planners
A infografia mostra o declínio da florestação global em relação ao aumento das terras cultivadas e pastagens.
GN41343PT

AMBIENTE

Desflorestação leva um milhão de quilómetros quadrados de floresta

By Ninian Carter

May 12, 2021 - A cobertura florestal global declinou um milhao de quilómetros quadrados desde 1960, enquanto a terra cultivada e as pastagens aumentaram sensivelmente a mesma extensão, segundo um novo estudo.

Since 1960, humans have repurposed land on Earth equivalent in area to Africa and Europe combined, researchers have revealed. If one counts all transitions, such as turning forests into cropland or Savannah into pastures, it adds up to approximately 43 million km2 – four times greater than was previously believed.

Since 1960, Earth’s total forest cover has reduced by nearly 1 million km2, while areas covered by cropland and pastures have each increased by around the same amount. The Earth’s crust is stretched across 510 million km2, with 70% (361m km2) being water – mostly oceans.

Studies like these are important. Tropical forests, for example, soak up about 30% of manmade carbon pollution, so large landscape alterations can radically alter attempts at global temperature reductions and meeting Paris Agreement targets.

Presently, the Earth is warmer by 1.2°C than it was in the pre-industrial age.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 13/05/2021; STORY: Graphic News; PICTURES: Getty Images
Advertisement