WWF sounds the alarm: The world's largest savannah is already half destroyed

2023-11-13 08:03:12

Deforestation in the Amazon is decreasing – shift in Cerrado savannah is dramatic for biodiversity and climate – WWF calls for better protection of forest-like ecosystems

Vienna (OTS) – What do giant armadillos, maned wolves, anteaters and jaguars have in common? Their habitat in the Brazilian Cerrado has shrunk by half since the 1970s: the largest and most species-rich savannah in the world is disappearing at a record pace – this is due to increasing meat consumption, which requires ever larger amounts of feed for factory farming: “It is no longer just the Amazon rainforest that is in danger, but above all the Cerrado savannah. Half of the area has already fallen victim to agribusiness. We must urgently stop this destruction!” demands Julia Haslinger, WWF expert on sustainable nutrition. The area in the center of Brazil is comparable to the African savannah and is the habitat of rare animal and plant species. In addition to preserving biodiversity, the Cerrado is of enormous importance as a global carbon store and for Brazil’s water supply: not only the Amazon rainforest itself, but also the drinking water supply of the Brazilian cities of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paolo depend on it.

Nevertheless, around 100,000 hectares of species-rich savannah are destroyed every year to grow soy for animal feed. Around 16 percent of the soy imported into Europe today comes from the Cerrado. “While deforestation in the Amazon is fortunately decreasing, destruction far from public interest in the Cerrado continues at a record pace – with dramatic effects on the environment, local population and the climate,” warns Haslinger. Deforestation in the Amazon fell by 60 percent in September compared to the same month last year – but deforestation in the Cerrado increased by around 150 percent.

In order to better protect forest-like ecosystems such as the Cerrado, WWF Austria is calling for the EU Forest Protection Act to be tightened. Because: “The law must also urgently better protect forest-like ecosystems. Wetlands and savannahs are also true treasure troves of biodiversity and are essential in the fight against the climate crisis,” says Haslinger. The WWF fears that excluding forest-like ecosystems from the law would be a free pass for the destruction of these areas. A comprehensive regulation is therefore needed to avoid so-called spillover effects and to create awareness of the essential importance of forest-like ecosystems. “Every school child learns about the importance of the Amazon rainforest for our planet. Hardly any adults know the Cerrado. “It is an ecoregion of superlatives that is of fundamental importance for climate protection and the preservation of biodiversity,” says Haslinger.

In addition, WWF Austria calls for the causes of natural destruction to be efficiently combated – namely to reduce global meat consumption, which is responsible for the cultivation of animal feed and the associated destruction. “With our consumption, we are making a massive contribution to the destruction of nature worldwide. By reducing meat consumption, we have a real superpower in the fight against the climate crisis and species extinction,” says WWF nutrition expert Julia Haslinger. Above all, politicians are called upon to make it easier to provide a climate-friendly and environmentally friendly diet – for example by eliminating VAT on fruit, vegetables and legumes. The true costs of meat products must also be shown transparently – from retailers to restaurants. “This requires mandatory and clear labeling of origin and production conditions so that no destruction of nature ends up on our plates,” demands Julia Haslinger from WWF Austria.

More Info about Cerrado here.
Pictures for download here.