Daily Current Affairs : 10-August-2023
The Amazon rainforest, often referred to as the “lungs of the Earth,” faces unprecedented challenges due to deforestation, climate change, and unsustainable practices. In response to these pressing concerns, the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) has taken a significant step by signing the Belém Declaration during the Amazon Summit. This declaration aims to combat threats to the Amazon rainforest and emphasize its vital role in addressing the climate crisis.
The Belém Declaration: A Pledge for Sustainable Cooperation
Consolidating Regional Consensus
The Belém Declaration represents a united effort of eight countries – Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela – forming ACTO. This agreement underscores the shared commitment of these nations to protect the Amazon region.
Key Objectives and Principles
The declaration encompasses 113 cross-cutting objectives and principles, established in Belém, Brazil. A central focus is promoting sustainable utilization of the Amazon’s biodiversity resources. Furthermore, the declaration recognizes the importance of Indigenous knowledge for biodiversity conservation and advocates for their active participation in decision-making and policy formulation processes.
Financial Mechanisms for Sustainability
One significant aspect of the Belém Declaration is the provision for creating financial mechanisms to facilitate sustainable development. This recognizes the need for economic models that balance growth with environmental preservation.
Recognizing the Urgency: Need for the Declaration
The Point of No Return
Experts have coined the term “point of no return” to depict a critical threshold beyond which the Amazon rainforest could lose its ability to regenerate. Deforestation, degradation, and global warming contribute to this risk. The Belém Declaration highlights the urgency of regional awareness and collaboration to prevent this scenario.
The Amazon Alliance to Combat Deforestation
In response to this urgency, the eight countries’ leaders have committed to establishing the Amazon Alliance to Combat Deforestation. Aligned with national goals, this alliance strives to achieve zero deforestation by 2030.
ACTO: A Catalyst for Positive Change
Formation and Objectives
ACTO, an intergovernmental organization, evolved from the Amazon Cooperation Treaty (ACT) signed in 1978. Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela collectively created ACTO in 1995 to advance the objectives of the treaty, emphasizing the harmonious development of Amazonian territories.
Central Role in Implementation
ACTO is set to play a pivotal role in executing the newly established Amazon cooperation agenda. Its unique position as the only socio-environmental block in Latin America enhances its capacity to foster collaborative efforts for the region’s sustainable development.
The Amazon Rainforest: Nature’s Treasure and Challenge
Ecological Significance
Encompassing nearly 60% of the rainforest, Brazil shares the Amazon with seven other countries. This vast expanse holds immense ecological value, hosting approximately 10% of Earth’s known species, covering 1.6 billion acres of dense forests, and providing 20% of the world’s liquid freshwater.
Global Impact
Often dubbed the “lungs of the Earth,” the Amazon rainforest absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen on a massive scale, influencing global climate patterns. Its impact is far-reaching, despite occupying only around 1% of the planet’s surface.
The Unyielding Threats
Deforestation and Climate Change
Deforestation rates have surged, with a threefold increase in the first half of 2022 compared to 2017. This destructive trend, coupled with rising global temperatures, intensifies the risk of forest fires and ecosystem disruption.
Loss of Biodiversity and Unsustainable Practices
Large swaths of the Amazon are cleared for agriculture, timber, infrastructure, and mining. The demand for commodities like beef and soybeans fuels unsustainable practices, leading to habitat loss and degradation.
Important Points:
The Belém Declaration: A Pledge for Sustainable Cooperation
- Eight countries (Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela) signed the Belém Declaration during the Amazon Summit.
- Aims to combat threats to the Amazon rainforest and address the climate crisis.
- Consensus agenda for sustainable use of biodiversity resources.
- Recognizes Indigenous knowledge for biodiversity conservation.
- Calls for Indigenous Peoples’ participation in decision-making.
- Supports financial mechanisms for sustainable development.
- Central role of ACTO in implementing the Amazon cooperation agenda.
Recognizing the Urgency: Need for the Declaration
- Urgent need for regional awareness and cooperation to avoid “point of no return.”
- “Point of no return” refers to irreversible loss of the forest’s self-regenerative ability.
- Commitment to launch the Amazon Alliance to Combat Deforestation.
- National goals, like zero deforestation by 2030, as part of the alliance.
ACTO: A Catalyst for Positive Change
- ACTO: Intergovernmental organization formed by eight Amazonian countries.
- Evolved from the Amazon Cooperation Treaty (ACT) signed in 1978.
- Focuses on harmonious development of Amazonian territories.
- Central role in implementing the new Amazon cooperation agenda.
The Amazon Rainforest: Nature’s Treasure and Challenge
- Amazon rainforest shared by eight countries, with Brazil holding nearly 60%.
- Houses about 10% of known Earth species.
- Covers 1.6 billion acres of dense forests, 20% of global liquid freshwater.
- Called “lungs of the Earth” due to its carbon dioxide-oxygen exchange.
The Unyielding Threats
- Deforestation rates escalating, three times higher in H1 2022 compared to H1 2017.
- Climate change leading to increased risk of forest fires.
- Habitat loss due to unsustainable practices like agriculture and mining.
Why In News
During the Amazon Summit, the eight member countries constituting the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) came together to solidify their commitment to the region’s preservation by signing the Belém Declaration. This landmark agreement underscores their collective determination to safeguard the Amazon’s unparalleled biodiversity and sustainable development for present and future generations.
MCQs about ACTO’s Belém Declaration
-
What is the main purpose of the Belém Declaration signed by the eight Amazonian countries?
A. To promote tourism in the Amazon rainforest.
B. To address threats to the Amazon rainforest and combat the climate crisis.
C. To establish a trade alliance among Amazonian countries.
D. To privatize the resources of the Amazon rainforest.
-
Which organization is playing a central role in implementing the new Amazon cooperation agenda outlined in the Belém Declaration?
A. United Nations (UN)
B. World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
C. Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO)
D. Greenpeace
-
Why is the Amazon rainforest often referred to as the “lungs of the Earth”?
A. Because it has the highest concentration of oxygen in the world.
B. Because it exhales carbon dioxide and inhales oxygen.
C. Because it produces a significant amount of oxygen through photosynthesis.
D. Because it plays a crucial role in carbon dioxide-oxygen exchange.
-
What is the primary threat to the Amazon rainforest?
A. Excessive rainfall causing flooding.
B. Volcanic activity.
C. Deforestation and unsustainable practices.
D. Lack of biodiversity.
Boost up your confidence by appearing our Weekly Current Affairs Multiple Choice Questions
