Tag Archives: deforestation

Amazon Rainforest Faces Drought as Deforestation Disrupts Atmospheric Rivers

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Deforestation in the Amazon

Vast areas of the Amazon rainforest are cleared for cattle ranching

Michael Dantas/AFP via Getty Images

The alarming rate of deforestation is significantly diminishing rainfall patterns across the Amazon, indicating that this vital rainforest could hit a catastrophic tipping point sooner than previously anticipated.

Research from 1980 to 2019 indicates that rainfall in the southern Amazon basin has diminished by 8 to 11 percent, based on satellite data and rain gauge readings. During this same time frame, tree cover in the region has shrunk by 16 percent, primarily due to deforestation linked to beef cattle ranching.

Contrastingly, deforestation has been less pronounced in the northern Amazon Basin, where precipitation has only shown minor increases that lack statistical significance.

Recent research highlights that deforestation contributes to arid conditions within a 300-kilometer radius. This new analysis reveals that this effect spans over a basin wider than 3,000 kilometers, suggesting that deforestation harms not just forests, but also the productivity of adjacent ranches and soybean farms, according to Dominique Spracklen from the University of Leeds.

“Some in agribusiness may perceive sections of the forest as underutilized land. Yet, these forests play a crucial role in maintaining regional rainfall, which in turn benefits our agricultural practices,” Spracklen explains.

Global warming is exacerbating the drying of the Amazon, culminating in extreme droughts and unprecedented wildfires in 2024. However, atmospheric studies led by Spracklen and colleagues indicate that deforestation is responsible for 52 to 75 percent of the decline in rainfall.

Moisture from the Atlantic Ocean is transported by prevailing winds into the Amazon, where it precipitates as rain. Plants contribute to this cycle as evaporation and transpiration return about three-quarters of that water to the atmosphere. Further downwind, it falls again as rain through multiple cycles, creating “flying rivers” that distribute moisture across the rainforest.

When forested areas are destroyed, over half of the rainwater is redirected to rivers and subsequently returns to the ocean, depleting the moisture available for the flying rivers and leading to reduced rainfall. Additionally, this diminishes atmospheric instability necessary for storm cloud formation, Spracklen and his team discovered.

As fewer trees slow down the wind, it tends to pick up speed, removing more moisture from the area.

Unlike previous research, this study employs a combination of data and modeling to effectively illustrate how deforestation impacts rainfall patterns, asserts Yadvinder Malhi from Oxford University.

“The atmosphere becomes smoother and, in a sense, slipperier. There’s reduced friction with the ground, enabling moisture to travel further out of forested regions,” Malhi notes, emphasizing the significance of secondary atmospheric processes often overlooked in prior studies.

Scientists voice concerns that the cumulative impact of heightened temperatures, drought, and deforestation could push the Amazon rainforest to a tipping point where it transitions into a savannah ecosystem, although the timeline for this transition remains uncertain. Spracklen and his colleagues found that climate models may underestimate the influence of deforestation on rainfall by as much as 50 percent, implying that the rainforest could face significant threats earlier than anticipated.

According to a 2022 study, there is a 37% probability that certain regions of the Amazon could vanish by 2100 if global temperatures, currently at 1.4°C, rise to 1.5°C. However, this does not necessarily imply that rainforests will convert into savannahs; it may lead to the emergence of fewer species and scrub forests capable of storing less carbon.

“The Amazon’s sensitivity is greater than we previously imagined, which is troubling,” he states. “We may be closer to the deforestation threshold than we realize, although there remains significant uncertainty surrounding this issue.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Research Suggests Invasive Polynesian Rat Contributed Significantly to Easter Island Deforestation

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The ecological shifts experienced on Easter Island (Rapanui) represent one of the most illustrative yet contentious examples in environmental archaeology. This discussion centers around the Polynesian rat (brown rat) amid the island’s deforestation, an event that wiped out an estimated 15 million to 19.7 million palm trees, specifically the palm tree (pashalococcos disperta) between approximately 1200 and 1650 AD.

Easter Island, known as Rapa Nui to its early inhabitants, is one of the least populated islands in the world. It is located approximately 3,512 km from the west coast of Chile and about 2,075 km west of the nearest inhabited island, Pitcairn Island. For reasons still unclear, the early Rapa Nui people began carving giant statues from volcanic rock. These monumental statues, known as moai, are among the most remarkable ancient artifacts discovered. Image credit: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen / CC BY-SA 3.0.

Prior to human settlement, Rapa Nui was dominated by large palm trees of now-extinct varieties, including the Chilean wine palm (Jubaea chillensis).

These majestic trees can survive for up to 500 years, but are slow-growing, taking around 70 years to mature and bear fruit.

By the time Europeans arrived in 1722, very few palm trees remained. When European interest in the island’s ecosystem peaked, these trees had largely disappeared.

“European accounts often describe islands devoid of trees, yet they also mention palm trees and their fronds,” notes Carl Lipo, a professor at Binghamton University.

“It’s uncertain whether they used this term to denote other types of trees.”

When exploring new islands, Polynesians transported various subsistence items such as taro, sweet potatoes, bananas, yams, dogs, chickens, and pigs, along with the omnipresent Polynesian rat.

In contrast to the Norway rat (brown rat), which was introduced post-European contact and favors the tree canopy, this smaller arboreal species provides a wealth of information for researchers.

“Their genetics showcase unique haplotypes due to the ‘founder effect’,” explains Professor Lipo.

“The genetic diversity of rats as they traverse the Pacific allows us to trace human migrations and the frequency of these settlements.”

The methods by which these rats entered Polynesian outrigger canoes is debated. Were they stowaways or intentionally included as a backup food source? Ethnographic evidence leans toward the latter.

“After European arrival, a naturalist collecting specimens for the British Museum witnessed a man walking with a mouse, who informed him it was for lunch.”

Additionally, rat bones have been uncovered in midden deposits, or ancient refuse piles, on various Pacific islands.

Upon their arrival at Rapa Nui around 1200 AD, the rats discovered a predator-free paradise filled with their preferred foods.

Their population surged into the millions within a few years, as they can breed multiple times annually.

“The palm fruit was like candy to the rats. They turned into a significant food source,” Professor Lipo commented.

Rapa Nui’s palm trees had coevolved with birds and did not develop the boom-and-bust production cycle that would have enabled some nuts to withstand rodent exploitation.

As a result, rats consumed the palm fruit, preventing the next generation of trees from establishing.

Simultaneously, humans cleared land for sweet potato fields. This dual pressure led to the deforestation now characteristic of the island.

Alongside plants and animals, Polynesians also incorporated practices such as slash-and-burn agriculture to enhance soil fertility.

Old volcanic islands like Rapa Nui possess poor soil, and rainfall depletes nutrients.

Clearing or burning parts of the forest temporarily rejuvenates soil quality.

Once nutrients are exhausted, farmers relocate, the land recuperates, and trees regrow.

“This pattern is also observable in New Guinea and other regions across the Pacific,” Professor Lipo mentions.

“However, in Rapa Nui, the slow growth of trees and the rats consuming coconuts inhibited regrowth.”

Eventually, the islanders shifted to a farming technique that utilized stone mulch to enrich their crops.

While the reduction of palm forests marked a significant ecological transformation, it was not a disaster solely orchestrated by humans.

The islanders’ survival did not hinge on the palm trees; rather, it depended on the availability of cleared land for agriculture.

Moreover, palms are not hardwoods; they belong to the grass family and do not provide material for canoes, homes, or fuel.

“The loss of palm forests is unfortunate, yet it wasn’t catastrophic for the people,” states Professor Lipo.

“They didn’t rely on them for survival.”

Though some palms may have persisted into European colonization, the introduction of sheep farming in the 19th century likely sealed their extinction, as any remaining seedlings would be consumed by sheep.

Ironically, the Polynesian mouse suffered a similar fate to the palm trees, being outcompeted by Norway rats or predated by non-native species like hawks on most islands.

Despite changes in species, islanders still discuss the rodents’ cyclical population booms and severe declines.

The narrative of Rapa Nui exemplifies unintended consequences as well as resilience and adaptability in one of the most remote inhabited islands, with its closest neighbor situated 1,931 km (1,200 miles) away.

“A more nuanced perspective on environmental change is essential,” says Professor Lipo.

“We are integral to the natural world and often modify it for our benefit; however, this does not necessarily imply we are creating an unsustainable environment.”

Findings from this study will be published in the archeology journal.

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Terry L. Hunt and Carl P. Lipo. 2025. Re-evaluating the role of Polynesian rats (brown rat) in the deforestation of Rapa Nui (Easter Island): Faunal evidence and ecological modeling. archeology journal 184: 106388; doi: 10.1016/j.jas.2025.106388

Source: www.sci.news

Amazon Deforestation Leads to Severe Rain, Wind, and Heat Events

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Illegal deforestation in the Amazon of Mato Grosso, Brazil

Paralaxis/Alamy

Life in the Amazon post-deforestation presents a grim scenario. Strong winds impede the recovery of the forest, while rising temperatures result in heat stress for both inhabitants and wildlife.

This contradicts the common belief that rainforest removal leads to a drier local climate.

Many studies suggest that deforestation in the Amazon will significantly reduce rainfall, but these studies often rely on low-resolution models that fail to accurately depict convection patterns in the region.

Recently, Alim Yun from the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology in Germany and her team have employed advanced climate models to represent rainforest rainfall dynamics and convection more accurately.

Dominic Spracklen, at the University of Leeds in the UK, which was not involved in the study, regards this methodology as “highly commendable,” suggesting it could “enhance predictions of climate responses to deforestation.”

Using this innovative approach, Yoon previously reported that under current climatic conditions, a complete deforestation of the Amazon would yield relatively stable average annual rainfall. The ongoing research aims to analyze how hourly patterns of rain, heat, and wind shift in this complete deforestation scenario.

The team’s findings indicate an increase in the frequency of dry spells, with a 54% rise in severe rainfall events. Concurrently, daily temperature extremes rise by 2.7°C (4.9°F) and 5.4°C (9.7°F), significantly heightening heat stress among local populations. Moreover, extremely strong winds are becoming more prevalent.

Over 30 million individuals reside in the Amazon region, including around 2.7 million indigenous people. “Expect intensified rainfall and extreme temperatures,” warns Lewis Catterrand from the University of Leeds. “This is alarming for everyone in the area.”

However, he cautions that further validation of this modeling approach is necessary. Additional research is essential to explore the effects of partial deforestation on the local climate in light of future projections for the region. “These extreme scenarios are meant to aid scientists in understanding the implications, but we know they don’t paint a complete picture,” says Catterrand.

Topic:

  • Forest destruction/
  • Amazon rainforest

Source: www.newscientist.com

Amazon’s Deforestation Surges at Alarming Rates, Nearing a Critical Tipping Point

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Scientists warn that the Amazon Rainforest has experienced a loss of the rainfall necessary to sustain it, pushing the world’s largest tropical ecosystem toward a potential tipping point.

A recent study published in Nature Communications indicates that deforestation is causing a significant decline in rainfall during the Amazon’s dry season, thereby increasing heat across the region.

Researchers suggest these changes could signify “early signs of biome destabilization,” implying that the forests are beginning to struggle to maintain their balance.

The study analyzed satellite and climate data from 1985 to 2020, encompassing an area of 2.6 million km² (1,000,000 square miles) in Brazil’s Amazon. This is nearly four times larger than Texas.

The data revealed that dry season rainfall has decreased by approximately 21mm (0.8 inches), with about three-quarters of this decline directly associated with deforestation.

During the same period, maximum daily temperatures increased by around 2°C (3.6°F), with 16.5% of this rise attributable to forest loss, while the remainder results from global climate change.

Deforestation contributes to reduced rainfall, while increased methane and carbon dioxide levels result from climate change – Source: Machado et al., Nature Communications (2025)

Plants play a crucial role in the Amazon’s rain cycle by extracting water from the soil and releasing it through a process known as transpiration.

When trees are removed, this cycle weakens, leading to fewer clouds and less rainfall. Consequently, the forest becomes hotter and drier, creating a harmful feedback loop.

If the Amazon reaches a tipping point, it may no longer be able to sustain itself, resulting in a rapid and irreversible collapse of the ecosystem and converting the region into a savanna.

This shift would significantly impact the entire water cycle in South America and release the carbon stored in the rainforests.

“These findings underscore the necessity of preserving and restoring Amazonian forest cover as a vital strategy for mitigating climate change and ensuring ecosystem stability,” the scientists conclude.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Can a $125 Billion Investment Fund Reverse Global Deforestation?

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Brazil Takes the Lead in Funding Forest Conservation

Luiz Claudio Marigo/Nature Picture Library/Alamy

During the COP30 Climate Summit in November, a coalition of countries led by Brazil introduces a groundbreaking initiative aimed at compensating tropical nations for sustaining their forest ecosystems.

The Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF) secures funding through investments rather than relying solely on donations or the sale of carbon credits.

“We need to explore new fundraising avenues for tropical forests. This innovative fund has the potential to play a vital role in complementing traditional grant-based funding and, more importantly, reducing our dependency on carbon trading,” states Kate Dooley, from the University of Melbourne, Australia.

The fund is positioned as a substitute for the carbon market, offering businesses a means to offset their emissions by financing forest protection. While it was once seen as a promising strategy for generating funds from the private sector, it has faced significant backlash for favoring corporate profits over environmental benefits.

A major benefit of TFFF is its straightforward approach. Rather than estimating how much carbon is stored in forests or assessing their vulnerability, the initiative compensates for the intact forest canopy each year, monitored through satellite technology.

“Our team approached the Brazilian government in 2023,” explains Pedro Moura Costa, an expert in environmental finance.

Unlike government donations that can be inconsistent and withdrawable at any moment, this fund is designed for sustainability.

The project’s planners aim to secure a $25 billion sovereignty loan from the government along with an additional $100 billion from private investors. These funds will be directed towards corporate bonds and green energy initiatives, particularly avoiding industries tied to deforestation.

After ensuring a fixed return for investors, any profits generated will flow directly to tropical nations for forest conservation efforts. This includes expanding conservation agencies. Crucially, 20% of the resources must be allocated to Indigenous communities, with TFFF collaborating closely with the Global Alliance of Territorial Communities, advocating for Indigenous rights.

The funds projected can generate $4 billion annually, which is sufficient to offer $4 every year per hectare of tropical forest preserved. Conversely, for every hectare lost, $100 will be deducted from government payments. Moura states it takes 100 years for primary tropical forests to regenerate, demanding a high level of responsibility.

However, the current proposal defines an undisturbed forest as having only 20% canopy cover, raising concerns of potential overexploitation. Dooley warns that “fires often indicate degradation rather than being its cause,” pointing out flaws in using fire metrics for monitoring.

Several environmental organizations and climate finance analysts have expressed strong disapproval of this concept. They argue that wealthier nations should provide direct financial support to poorer countries rather than investing in uncertain ventures. Frederick Hash from the Green Finance Observatory, which evaluates private investments in green opportunities, states, “Conservation funds are vulnerable to future economic shifts, interest rates, and fund management capabilities. This differs markedly from grants, and may not meet the expectations of a fund aimed at addressing our critical ecological challenges.” He adds that the promised 20% for Indigenous peoples “seems insufficient and fails to acknowledge their valuable contributions.”

Despite insufficient donor funding for conservation and the looming threat of surpassing the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C warming limit, advocates argue there is an urgent need for practical alternatives to grant-based support.

Signatories of the 2002 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework committed to providing $20 billion annually for biodiversity conservation in low-income nations by 2025, increasing to $30 billion by 2030. However, the average cost stands at $8.2 billion a year.

“To initiate substantial change, we must devise new, innovative strategies where environmental protection becomes self-funding and is no longer dependent on grants or handouts. Without this, we may face failure,” remarks Moura.

“There must be a mechanism to compensate those safeguarding nature and preserving forests.” Simon Zadeck, a climate adaptation consultant and investment platform expert, adds, “Funding sources might include domestic finances and philanthropy, alongside income from natural products like nuts and timber, but these are insufficient alone. Thus, we need to promote creative funding solutions.”

If TFFF can achieve its $125 billion goal, it will represent the most significant single funding source in history for forest conservation. It may even surpass Brazil’s current environmental budget.

However, the success of this initiative hinges on attracting enough capital during what international experts identify as a particularly challenging economic landscape.

“This geoeconomic environment presents significant obstacles for such an ambitious project,” says Zadek. “Public finances are strained, and private investment is currently focused on short- to medium-term returns.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

European Union regulations on deforestation are causing chaos for coffee farmers in Ethiopia

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African farmers who produce some of the world’s most respected coffee are scrambling to comply with the new European Union environmental regulations, which require that the origins of any shipping of beans be documented.

The new measures, which will come into effect at the end of this year, are designed to prevent deforestation driven by agriculture expansion. To comply, farmers need to provide geographical data to show that no coffee is being grown on land where forests have recently been cut down.

Producers are unable to lose access to the vast European markets since December 31st.

Europe consumes more coffee than any other country in the world, and experts say the new regulations, officially known as the EU deforestation regulations, are potentially powerful tools to promote sustainable agriculture and prevent deforestation.

But it also represents what we call the “green squeeze,” which places a heavy burden on millions of small farmers in developing countries that are least contributing to climate change, testing the ability of policymakers to balance people’s needs with natural needs.

“Of course, data is very important to us, but what we’re saying is that we need support,” said Degen Daddy, head of the Oromia Coffee Farmers Co-op. “It’s very challenging and expensive and there’s no help for us.”

Dadi said his group, Ethiopia’s largest cooperative of coffee growers, has more than half a million members based in the central part of the country and could not prepare all the farms by the deadline, possibly without additional support.

Trainers have been crossing the Oromia region for over a year, collecting map coordinates and assisting farmers with new technology. As of March, they were mapping 24,000 farms. European officials validate shipments by cross-checking current geographical allocation data against baseline satellite images and forest cover maps.

Daddy said the cost of mapping one farm is about $4.50. The cost of training is partially covered by grants from the International Trade Centre, a joint organisation of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization, established to help poor countries expand their trade.

Ethiopia is the top coffee producer in Africa, with crops accounting for around 35% of the country’s revenue. The Arabica variety is smooth and gentle with fruity, nutty notes, and comes from the country’s southwest highlands. Over a third of Ethiopian coffee is sent to Europe.

Last year’s French government report says EU consumption is liable 44% of coffee-related deforestation all over the world. Another report by the Environmental Group, World Resources Research Institute, found that there was about 2 million hectares of forest cover Replaced with a coffee farm Between 2001 and 2025. Indonesia, Brazil and Peru recorded some of the highest deforestation rates in that period.

The global leader pledged in 2021 at Glasgow Climate Summit to end deforestation by 20303. The agreement highlighted a growing awareness of nature’s role in tackling the climate crisis. The intact forests are natural reservoirs of carbon that warm the planets, keeping them away from the atmosphere. As carbon dioxide, trapping the heat of the sun increases global warming. Once the forest is cleared, these areas will switch to greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, by destroying habitats, it harms the biodiversity of forests and its diversity.

The new EU regulations also cover cattle, cocoa, palm oil, rubber and other crops. Shipment of coffee without proper mapping data can be denied or confiscated and can be fined on the importer.

However, some experts say the measure is being implemented without the necessary support for farmers.

Jodie Keane, an economist at ODI Global, a London-based research organization, said the European Union and major coffee chains should do more to help smallholder farmers.

“We all want to prevent deforestation,” Keene said. “But when applying that standard to rural producers, you need to provide a lot of outreach, sensitization. You need to invest in learning how to do things differently so that they don’t drop them out of the supply chain.”

This was reflected by Etelle Higonet, founder of the watch group Coffee Watch. “These are some of the richest companies in the world,” she said of the European coffee chain. “Of course they could afford to do this.”

In an email, Johannes Dengler, managing partner of Alois Dallmayr, one of Germany’s most well-known coffee brands, confirmed that the new rules are a “big challenge” for Ethiopia. He said Dallmayr is developing a system to ensure compliance and is “working closely with his partners to find viable solutions.”

The Director-General of the European Union’s Trade and Economic Security did not respond to a request for comment. in News Release on April 15th Based on feedback from partner countries, the bloc said it allocated 86 million euros, or about $97 million, to support compliance efforts.

Ethiopian coffee farmers take pride in their high quality beans, as a result of exceptional heirloom varieties, highlands and traditional agricultural practices.

In southwestern Zinma Highlands, farmers like Zinabu Abadura say most growers follow long-standing unwritten rules for cutting trees.

Abadura, who sells directly to informal intermediaries, said his farm has not yet been mapped. Most farmers in his area generate coffee revenue and cannot afford to pay any confusion or additional costs. “Life will be difficult,” he said, as new European rules will be implemented.

However, the new EU standards can sort Ethiopia’s coffee sector, but analysts say they probably won’t stop selling.

Countries like China offer alternative, less isolated markets. And Ethiopia itself is a big coffee drinker. Hospitality is incomplete without a coffee ceremony hosting roasts, grinds and brews in front of guests. About half of the country’s annual coffee production stays at home.

But Tsegaye Anebo, who heads the Sidama Coffee Union, which represents 70,000 farmers, said the pivot to the new market would be disruptive in the short term. He said that the species of ferns in his area are distinctive in its fruity tone and are a favorite in wealthy Europe. And that means premium prices.

Giving up the EU market is not an option, he said.

“We need the EU,” Anebo said. “But they need us too, because they can’t find our coffee anywhere.”

Munira Abdelmenan contributed the report.

Source: www.nytimes.com

Tesla Gigafactory near Berlin to undergo deforestation of 500,000 trees

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Based on satellite analysis, it has been found that the construction of Tesla’s megafactory near Berlin resulted in the cutting down of approximately 500,000 trees.

The establishment of the German plant has sparked significant controversy, leading to widespread protests and discussions regarding the trade-offs associated with developing a green economy.

Elon Musk, the owner of Tesla, criticized local police for allowing “left-wing protesters” to escape.

Satellite imagery reveals that 329 hectares (813 acres) of forest were cleared at the site between March 2020 and May 2023, as reported by environmental information company Queiroz. This amounts to around 500,000 trees.

Since May, environmental activists have been protesting the expansion plans of the Gigafactory, occupying treehouses at a nearby campsite and attempting to storm the plant. In March, one group set fire to a utility pole, resulting in the halting of production at the plant for several days.


Germany: Police clash with hundreds of climate protesters trying to storm Tesla factory – VIDEO


Karolina Dujewo from the campaign alliance “Turn off the tap at Tesla” emphasized that the analysis points to the detrimental impact of the company’s electric car production on the local and global environment. She stressed the urgency to prevent increased deforestation and further environmental destruction in one of the driest regions in Germany, which also puts protected drinking water areas at risk.

Tesla did not provide a response to the request for comment.

Antoine Haruf, chief analyst at Queiroz, stated, “The Tesla factory in Germany has resulted in the loss of a substantial number of trees, which must be balanced against the advantages of transitioning from internal combustion vehicles to electric vehicles.” He highlighted that the felled trees equate to about 13,000 tonnes of CO2, equivalent to annual emissions from 2,800 people driving average internal combustion engine vehicles. Haruf emphasized the importance of acknowledging and mitigating these trade-offs.

In July, Tesla announced plans to double annual production to 1 million units at the Gigafactory in Germany, following approval from the Brandenburg Ministry of the Environment.

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Numerous environmental accidents have occurred at the facility, which also manufactures millions of battery cells and has experienced incidents like leaks and spills of diesel fuel, paint, and aluminum.

While Tesla initially did not respond, they later stated that several accidents occurred on the factory premises during construction and operation, but no environmental harm was caused, and corrective measures were swiftly implemented when necessary.

Deforestation monitoring is conducted by Kayrros using publicly available optical imagery from the Sentinel-2 satellite with a resolution of 10 meters. This data is automatically processed and reviewed by remote sensing experts to ensure quality.

Queiroz mentioned the development of deforestation detection tools to assist companies in compliance with the upcoming EU Deforestation Regulation, which aims to prohibit the import of deforestation-linked goods by early 2025. The tool can also be utilized to independently oversee forests utilized as carbon offsets in voluntary carbon markets.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Connection between U.S. company demand for avocados and Mexico’s deforestation crisis

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Excavation work began on a avocado orchard in Michoacan, Mexico as seen in drone footage captured by Reuters, revealing two bulldozers clearing the ground to build a reservoir without proper permits.

The increasing demand for avocados in the United States has put pressure on Mexican growers, leading to illegal activities and environmental damage. Illegal deforestation and water resource exploitation have become common practices in the region as the avocado industry expands.

To address these issues, a lawsuit has been filed against avocado importers in the U.S., accusing them of labeling Mexican avocados as “sustainable” or “responsibly sourced” when in fact they are contributing to environmental degradation and water scarcity.

While the avocado trade brings economic growth to the region, it has also attracted criminal gangs who engage in extortion and violence. The avocado industry, known as “green gold,” is causing social and environmental crises in Mexico.

Local communities are fighting back against illegal deforestation by destroying water pumps and orchards, while activists and organizations are working to hold importers and retailers accountable for their sourcing practices.

The lawsuit seeks to ensure that avocados in the U.S. market are not produced in illegally deforested areas and are sourced responsibly. It also calls attention to the impact of the avocado industry on water scarcity and biodiversity in the region.

Efforts are being made by Michoacan state authorities to curb illegal logging and ensure transparency in the avocado supply chain. A new online platform is being developed to certify avocados from orchards that are not involved in illegal deforestation.

Despite these efforts, the actual number of illegal orchards in Michoacan is believed to be much higher than reported, highlighting the challenges in controlling the environmental and social impacts of the booming avocado industry.

Source: www.nbcnews.com