On February 2, 2026, a landmark Amazon conservation agreement suffered a major setback as major soybean traders collectively announced their withdrawal from the Soy Moratorium. Since its implementation in 2006, the agreement had effectively curbed deforestation in the Amazon rainforest for soybean cultivation, serving as a model for business-environmental cooperation. The Amazon Environmental Research Institute…

Illegal mining activities are rampant in Venezuela’s Orinoco Mining Arc. The unlawful use of high-pressure pumps to strip away topsoil and toxic mercury to extract gold not only accelerates deforestation in the Amazon rainforest but also causes mercury pollution to seep into water sources and soil. This disrupts the ecological chain of the watershed, threatens…

Illegal mining pollution is intensifying across the Amazon regions of Colombia, Venezuela, and Brazil:- In Colombia’s Vaupés region, illegal gold mining operations discharge mercury, contaminating waterways and threatening indigenous health.- In Venezuela, illegal mining gangs violently destroy rainforests and pollute water sources, fueled by collusion with vested interests.- Brazilian law enforcement seizes and destroys illegal…

New research reveals that carbon emissions from latent fire damage in the Amazon rainforest—where trees suffer physiological harm without complete combustion—have now exceeded direct emissions from deforestation. Amazon fires in 2025 released an additional 15 million tons of carbon, equivalent to one month of EU vehicle emissions, while reducing the forest’s carbon sink capacity by…

In December 2025, the Amazonian Institute for People and the Environment’s AI deforestation prevention technology won the United Nations “Champions of the Earth” award, gaining widespread international recognition. This AI predictive model boasts exceptional accuracy, with 73% of deforestation alerts showing deviations of no more than 4 kilometers. Since its implementation in 2021, it has…

Research reveals that plastic pollution has reached rivers, soil, and even species deep within the Amazon rainforest. After analyzing 52 scientific studies, researchers found that plastic waste originating from cities, ships, and local communities flows through rivers, creating transnational pollution. Plastics of macro, meso, micro, and nano sizes are now widely present throughout the ecosystem.…

The high-level segment of the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) commenced in Belém, Brazil, on November 17. Within the first seven days of the conference, nations reached several key agreements: committing to raise $1 trillion in dedicated investments, prioritizing clean energy development and grid upgrades; launching a specialized plan to quadruple global sustainable…

Illegal gold mining activities in Peru’s Amazon region discharge approximately 180 tons of mercury into water bodies annually. Local residents’ hair mercury levels are seven times the global average, with 43% of women of childbearing age exceeding the WHO safety threshold. The Andean Community (CAN) has formally demanded Peru rectify illegal gold mining operations within…

Data shows that deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest reached 7,800 square kilometers in the first three quarters of 2025, surging 32% year-on-year and marking the highest level for the same period since 2015. Illegal mining, agricultural expansion, and infrastructure development are the primary drivers. Countries like Peru and Colombia have announced plans to expand forest…

Two reports released by the United Nations Environment Programme indicate that to protect the world’s high-risk tropical forests, annual investment must triple to $300 billion by 2030 and reach $498 billion by 2050. However, the current funding gap stands at $216 billion per year. These forests prevent 2.3 million tons of nitrogen pollution and 527…