A new study involving over 50 scientists, led by Lancaster University, finds that climate extremes are accelerating in the Amazon, with an unexpected region bearing the brunt of rising temperatures and water stress. The research, published ahead of a potential El Niño, highlights how rapidly the region's climate is shifting, which could have major implications for carbon storage and biodiversity. As the Amazon plays a crucial role in global carbon cycles, this trend may affect everything from offset integrity to regional climate models. The study's findings underscore the cost-effectiveness of protecting existing tropical forests over restoration efforts. Protection delivers more for both climate and biodiversity per dollar spent, but the new data on extremes suggests that even protected areas face growing stress. This strengthens the argument for investing in resilience and monitoring, not just tree planting. For carbon market participants, the study is a reminder that forest-based credits depend on the Amazon staying a reliable sink, and climate variability is making that less certain.
