As world leaders and their climate negotiators gathered at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai in early December, on the other side of the world, Brazil was experiencing an unprecedented drought in the Amazon. Scientists fear it could release of billions of additional tons of carbon into the atmosphere. In this episode, we speak to an ecologist who has spent 45 years living and studying in the Amazon about the causes of the drought, why it’s so dangerous for the planet and what can be done to protect the rainforest.

Featuring Philip Fearnside, ecologist and professor at the National Institute of Amazonian Research in Brazil.

This episode was written and produced by Katie Flood with production assistance from Mend Mariwany. Gemma Ware is the executive producer of the show. Full credits for this episode are available here. A transcript is also available.

Further reading:

• Amazon region hit by trio of droughts in grim snapshot of the century to come
• Deforestation jeopardises agribusiness and food security in Brazil and worldwide
• Climate tipping points are nearer than you think – our new report warns of catastrophic risk
• UN’s ‘global stocktake’ on climate offers a sobering emissions reckoning − but there are also signs of progress