Last year saw the second-largest tropical tree cover loss on record since 1999, in large part because of human-caused fires in the Amazon, a new analysis from the World Resources Institute and University of Maryland found.

Trees absorb huge amounts of carbon dioxide, preventing even more global warming. Losing tree cover means there’s the potential for accelerating warming, as well as a range of other effects, including damage to biodiversity, the loss of livelihoods for indigenous populations and greater susceptibility of the tropics to drought.

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