The study, published February 14 in Nature by an international group of 20 researchers, suggests that "between 10 and 47 percent" of the Amazon's surface area "will be exposed to cumulative disturbances capable of triggering unexpected ecosystem transitions and exacerbating regional climate change."

Pressures from "higher temperatures," "extreme droughts," "deforestation," and "erosion" could push half of the Amazon to this "tipping point" or "threshold," potentially leading to a vicious cycle synonymous with the potential collapse of ecosystems.

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In 2016, PNG provided 29% of China's tropical log imports, making it the country's single largest supplier.

The report notes that, on paper, the legal system in PNG guarantees that indigenous Papua New Guineans have control over their forests.

"In reality, however, the government is responsible for a catastrophic failure to uphold these laws, and the forest sector has been plagued for decades by allegations of corruption and lawbreaking."

The investigation reveals how a large number of logging operations in PNG violate the law despite their holding government-issued permits.

China is the world's largest consumer and manufacturer of wood and wood products.

Yet it has no regulation to keep illegal timber from entering its borders.

The report says the timber trade has profound implications for PNG.

70% of the country is covered by forest ecosystems that are home to some of the world's rarest plants and animals.

The forest is also central to the cultural traditions and livelihoods of PNG's eight million people.

By continuing to import tropical timber from PNG on such a scale, China is driving the destruction of a vulnerable and ancient forest, the report says.

The report makes two recommendation for action by China and six for action by PNG.

Source

• globalwitness.org
• >theguardian.com
• Image: globalwitness.org

"Because of the haze crisis, [the local people's] activities in the economic sphere have been shackled. Their right to earn a living is seized," said Father Paulus Christian Siswantoko, secretary of the bishops' Commission for Justice, Peace and Pastoral for Migrant-Itinerant People.

The haze "has shackled all spheres of life," he said during a Sept. 21 press conference in Jakarta.

The haze is caused by slash-and-burn farming techniques used by palm oil, pulp and paper plantations that populate the two islands. Vast tracts of land are cleared using this illegal method. The dry season brings wildfires, which fill the region with acrid smog.

Father Siswantoko said the government has failed to take concrete steps to address the disaster and the people suffer as a result.

"The disaster continues. We remain very concerned about this," he said.

Compounding the issue, Father Siswantoko said, is that many residents in the haze-filled regions can't obtain or afford the medicine needed to treat their respiratory infections. He said the government must step in and provide free medicine.

Divine Word Father Frans Sani Lake, coordinator of the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation in Kalimantan, said the current haze crisis has led to at least 17 deaths in Central Kalimantan province.

"Within the last three months, more than 3,700 people in the province have suffered from acute respiratory infections," he said. His organization has been focused on distributing masks, eye drops and even oxygen kits to local people.

West Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, Jambi, Riau and South Sumatra are the provinces hardest hit by the air pollution originating from fires in peatland and plantations, he said.

Source

• ucanews.com
• Image: media.therakyatpost.com