Brasilia, Brazil (Enmaeya News) — Tropical deforestation has caused hundreds of thousands of deaths over the past two decades by exposing millions to higher temperatures, according to a study published in Nature.
Researchers found that from 2001 to 2020, deforestation in tropical regions contributed to 28,330 heat-related deaths annually and raised temperatures for 345 million people. Brazil accounted for the largest share of forest loss.
Meanwhile, flooding in Pakistan’s Punjab province forced the evacuation of more than one million residents. Heavy monsoon rains combined with India’s release of dam water swelled three rivers, inundating over 1,400 villages and threatening livelihoods in the nation’s primary agricultural region.
Other environmental developments this year include Spain and Portugal experiencing the worst wildfire season on record, China reporting $2.2 billion in flood-related road damage, and Mexico’s jaguar population rising 30% since 2010 but remaining endangered. Scientists remain the most trusted source of climate information in many Global South countries.
Extreme weather events in 2024 caused $320 billion in damages, less than half of which were insured, raising concerns about economic stability and growing inequality, experts warn.
