1

Assignment #7: Environmental Risk Assessment in the Media

Science and Risk Assessment in Regulation SCI4100_450
Course facilitator: Michel Ntemgwa
Student: Muaz Muhamed 041074975
March 16th, 2023

Muhamed
2

The Deforestation of the Amazon Rainforest: A Ticking Time Bomb for Biodiversity and
Climate Change

Background
In recent years, the Amazon rainforest has faced increasing deforestation, primarily due to
agricultural expansion, logging, and mining activities. The Amazon is often referred to as the
"lungs of the Earth" because it absorbs large amounts of carbon dioxide and releases oxygen,
playing a crucial role in maintaining the planet's climate balance. Additionally, the Amazon
rainforest is home to over 400 billion individual trees, representing more than 16,000 species
and housing a vast range of biodiversity (WWF, n.d.).

Introduction
A recent news story by The Guardian highlights the alarming rate of deforestation in the
Amazon rainforest, with satellite data showing that an area the size of London was cleared in
September 2022 alone (Phillips, 2022). This essay aims to evaluate the story by analyzing the
potential ecological risks associated with the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest, its global
implications, and the need for urgent action to curb deforestation.

Evaluation
The news story provides detailed information on the extent of deforestation in the Amazon and
highlights the role of government policies and weak enforcement in exacerbating the problem
(Phillips, 2022). The ecological risks associated with deforestation are immense, with both local
and global implications.

Firstly, the loss of habitat for numerous species, including many that are already endangered,
poses a significant threat to the Amazon's biodiversity. As the news story mentions,
deforestation is driving many species to extinction, which could have cascading effects on
ecosystems and the services they provide, such as pollination and pest control (Phillips, 2022).

Secondly, deforestation contributes to climate change by releasing large amounts of stored

carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere. The Amazon rainforest acts as a crucial carbon sink,
absorbing about 2.2 billion tons of carbon dioxide annually (WWF, n.d.). Losing this capacity
would exacerbate global warming, leading to more extreme weather events and negatively
affecting agriculture, water availability, and human health.

Moreover, the loss of the Amazon rainforest could disrupt regional and global weather
patterns. Research has shown that the Amazon helps regulate rainfall patterns in South America
and plays a role in the global climate system through its impact on ocean currents and
atmospheric circulation (Nobre et al., 2016). Deforestation could lead to a decline in
precipitation, which in turn could negatively affect agriculture, water resources, and energy
production from hydropower.

Muhamed
3

Lastly, the news story emphasizes the importance of international pressure and cooperation in
addressing the deforestation crisis (Phillips, 2022). However, it also highlights the challenges of
implementing effective policies and enforcement measures to curb deforestation, particularly
when faced with competing economic interests.

Summary
In conclusion, the news story on the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest sheds light on a
critical ecological risk with far-reaching consequences. The destruction of this unique
ecosystem not only threatens the survival of countless species but also has significant
implications for climate change, weather patterns, and human well-being. As the story suggests,
urgent action is needed from governments, international organizations, and individuals to
combat deforestation and preserve the Amazon rainforest for future generations.

Muhamed
4

References
Phillips, T. (2022). Amazon loses London-sized area of rainforest in a month with Bolsonaro’s
reign under threat
The Guardian. Retrieved from
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/oct/07/brazil-rainforest-loss-climate-
bolsonaro
WWF. (n.d.). Amazon. World Wildlife Fund. Retrieved from
https://www.worldwildlife.org/places/amazon
Nobre, C. A., Sampaio,

Muhamed