Amazon rainforest faces deforestation and climate tipping point risks

The Amazon rainforest lost 2,053 km² of forest between January and August 2026, according to data from Imazon. While this figure is 2% higher than the same period in 2025, it remains 74% lower than the levels recorded in 2022. The states of Pará, Mato Grosso, and Amazonas accounted for 83% of the total deforestation during this period. Indigenous lands represented 1.6% of the total loss, with 63% of monitored territories recording no deforestation.

Concurrently, the Planetary Health Check 2026 report by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research warns that the Amazon is approaching a tipping point. The report suggests the forest is losing its capacity to act as a carbon sink and risks transitioning into a savanna-like vegetation. Such a shift could disrupt rainfall patterns across South America, impacting food security and water stability. The study emphasizes that protecting indigenous management practices is critical for maintaining forest resilience and reducing deforestation pressure.