Climate change is hitting Colombia's vast natural treasures hard— and no place feels the heat more than the Amazon, home to nearly 10% of the world's biodiversity. Illegal logging, mining and the drug trade are draining water sources and degrading the land, Colombia's Minister of Defense warns. 🌳🌎
This week, as world leaders gather in Brazil for COP30 UN Climate Change Conference, the minister is calling for a united global response to protect the Amazon. "We need stronger international cooperation to stop illicit activities that threaten our forests and communities," he told CGTN correspondent Michelle Begue in an exclusive chat. 🤝
The stakes are high: Colombia alone shelters thousands of species found nowhere else on the planet. Degraded land and polluted waterways not only harm wildlife, but also put local and indigenous communities at risk. By tackling illegal operations at the source, the minister says countries can make a real dent in emissions and preserve vital ecosystems.
Experts agree that protecting the Amazon is more than a regional issue— it's a global responsibility. Solutions on the table at COP30 include cross-border enforcement, sustainable funding for conservation, and community-led patrols. 🌱
As the conference unfolds, all eyes will be on how leaders translate urgent calls into action. For Colombia's defense team, the message is clear: safeguarding the Amazon now safeguards our shared future. 🌍✨
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Colombia’s defense minister urges global action to protect the Amazon
cgtn.com
