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Tropical forest loss hit new heights in 2024; fire a major driver in Latin America

https://news.mongabay.com/2025/05/tropical-forest-loss-hit-new-heights-in-2024-fire-a-major-driver-in-latin-america/

cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/22515175

  • A new dataset and analysis released by World Resources Institute finds global tropical forest loss jumped to a record high in 2024, with 6.7 million hectares (16.6 million acres) worldwide.
  • In total, the area of forest lost in 2024 is nearly the size of Panama.
  • For the first time, fire, not agriculture, was the primary driver of primary tropical forest loss, with Latin America badly hit.
  • Non-fire related tropical forest loss also increased, by 14%.

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