Paraguay Grapples with Environmental Impact as Tree Cover Loss Escalates

Paraguay Grapples with Environmental Impact as Tree Cover Loss Escalates

In the face of a recent fire incident in the Alto Paraguay Department, Paraguay confronts the broader issue of significant tree cover loss. Over the past two decades, the country has experienced a net decrease in tree cover of approximately 24.70%, a stark reflection of the environmental challenges it faces. Shifting agriculture remains the primary driver, accounting for a substantial portion of the tree cover loss, followed by forestry activities, wildfires, and urbanization.

The cumulative effect of these factors has led to a loss of over 5.80 million hectares of tree cover, only partially offset by a gain of approximately 642,486 hectares. This imbalance has resulted in a net loss of over 5.10 million hectares, underscoring the urgency of addressing the underlying causes. Wildfires, although not the most significant driver, have contributed to the emissions of millions of megagrams of CO2 equivalent, exacerbating the country's carbon footprint.