deforestation

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    Tropical Forests 101: Everything You Need to Know

    Tropical Forests 101: Everything You Need to Know

    Quick Key Facts What Are ‘Tropical Forests’? Tropical forests are rich ecosystems located in tropical zones surrounding the equator. They have a dense upper canopy of broad-leafed trees and an astonishingly diverse array of animal and plant life. These forests pack an enormous amount of biodiversity into the six percent of the planet’s land surface […]

    Brazil and Colombia Destroy Illegal Gold Mines in Amazon Rainforest

    Brazil and Colombia Destroy Illegal Gold Mines in Amazon Rainforest

    Brazil and Colombia have blown up 19 illegal gold mining operations in the Amazon rainforest. Colombia’s armed forces said the mines were producing about $1.5 million worth of the rare metal every month and polluting the rainforest’s rivers with mercury, reported the BBC and Reuters. The unlawful activity was producing 50.71 pounds of gold a […]

    Deforestation in Southeast Asia and Pacific Islands Could Make El Niño Southern Oscillation More Unpredictable, Study Finds

    Deforestation in Southeast Asia and Pacific Islands Could Make El Niño Southern Oscillation More Unpredictable, Study Finds

    Every two to seven years, a climate phenomenon known as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) occurs in the tropical Pacific Ocean. ENSO is associated with air pressure changes from east to west, reported Phys.org. El Niño events cause westerly trade winds blowing along the equator to become weaker, leading to wind speed and air pressure […]

    Flooding 101: Everything You Need to Know

    Flooding 101: Everything You Need to Know

    Quick Key Facts What Is ‘Flooding’? Flooding occurs when water submerges land that is typically dry. That water can come from a variety of sources, such as rainfall, a storm surge or high tide, a river overflowing its banks, a dam bursting or snow or ice melting. Some types of flooding can be beneficial for […]