How climate change is impacting the Andean Amazon

Situated on the slopes of the Andes mountain range, there is a mosaic of ecosystems, from rainforests to snowy areas, home to some of the greatest biodiversity on the planet. The Andean Amazon is a diverse geographical region, stretching across Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela and Bolivia, and is under increasing pressure due to a variety of factors, including deforestation, unplanned urbanization and, most significantly, climate change. Find out how these changes are impacting the Andean Amazon and the consequences for this place of inestimable ecological and cultural importance.  

The Andean Amazon - a treasure of the planet 

The Andean Amazon plays a crucial role in regulating the global climate and maintaining biodiversity. Its forests absorb large amounts of carbon, helping to slow down global climate change. In addition, its unique biodiversity is home to a multitude of plant and animal species, many of which have not even been recorded by science. The loss of these resources would have devastating consequences not only for the region, but for the entire planet. 

High temperatures, deforestation and loss of biodiversity 

Among the most noticeable changes in recent decades in the Andean Amazon is the rise in temperatures. This increase has been associated with unpredictable and extreme weather patterns, including more intense and prolonged droughts, as well as torrential rains that cause flooding. These fluctuations in rainfall patterns directly affect the vegetation, fauna and human communities that inhabit these ecosystems. 

Deforestation in the Andean Amazon, driven by agriculture, mining and urban expansion, is amplifying the effects of climate change. Forests play a crucial role in regulating the climate, storing carbon and maintaining regional weather patterns. The loss of forest cover not only releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming, but also reduces the region's ability to adapt to climate change. 

Residents of the Andean Amazon are suffering the impacts of the climate crisis   

The climate crisis in the Andean Amazon is directly affecting traditional peoples and communities, who cultivate an ancient relationship with local nature, which is expressed in their forms of culture and subsistence. Rising temperatures and climate variability are damaging agricultural production, water availability and forest health, putting food security and the livelihoods of these populations at risk. In addition, extreme weather events such as droughts and floods can lead to the loss of housing and livelihoods, increasing the vulnerability of these communities. 

“I don't just work here with the animals, I live here with the animals. I've always drunk water here, now it's dry. And the animals are getting weaker too,” said Peregrina Puma, 66, a resident of the region where the Amazon River rises, in Arequipa, Peru. (Check out the special report, aired in February 2024 on Fantástico, about this region and the measures being taken to tackle the climate crisis).  

Regional governments and civil society unite to protect the source of the Amazon River in the Andean Amazon 

Para mitigar os impactos das mudanças climáticas na Amazônia Andina, é essencial adotar abordagens integradas que abordem tanto as causas subjacentes quanto os efeitos imediatos. Isso inclui políticas de conservação de florestas, práticas agrícolas sustentáveis, gestão adequada dos recursos hídricos e o fortalecimento da resiliência das comunidades locais. Além disso, a cooperação internacional e o financiamento adequado são essenciais para apoiar iniciativas de mitigação e adaptação na região. 

To mitigate the impacts of climate change in the Andean Amazon, it is essential to adopt integrated approaches that address both the underlying causes and the immediate effects. This includes forest conservation policies, sustainable agricultural practices, proper management of water resources and strengthening the resilience of local communities. In addition, international cooperation and adequate funding are essential to support mitigation and adaptation initiatives in the region. 

This is the case with an initiative led by the Peruvian government's National Service for Protected Natural Areas (SERNANP) and the Foundation for Amazon Sustainability (FAS), with support from the Sustainable Development Solutions Network for the Amazon (SDSN Amazonia), which is mobilizing to create an environmental protection area in the cradle of the Amazon River. Located on the Nevado Del Mismi, in the Chila mountain range, in the province of Caylloma, in the Arequipa region of Peru, the 28,000-hectare area is home to the source of the world's largest river and is threatened by the melting of glaciers caused by climate change. 

“The source of the Amazon River is one of the most important areas in the world, a true natural heritage of humanity that urgently needs to be protected. The region and the communities that live there are being punished by the effects of climate change, which could permanently and destructively affect an entire population and also have consequences for the other regions bathed by the Amazon River. Our hope is to strengthen the alliance for the creation of the El Mismi protection area. The Peruvian government is showing full support for the proposal. We hope to advance the agenda of protecting the source region, which is, in many ways, the heart of the world,” says Virgilio Viana, general superintendent of the FAS. 

Climate change poses an existential threat to the Andean Amazon and its communities. Rising temperatures, unpredictable weather patterns and ongoing deforestation are exacerbating the impacts on forests, biodiversity and local populations. However, with urgent and coordinated action, it is possible to mitigate these impacts and guarantee the preservation of this vital ecosystem for present and future generations. Protecting the Andean Amazon is not just a regional issue, but a global responsibility that requires immediate and decisive action.