Amazonia: rapid increase in climate extremes revealed

New research reveals a significant increase in climate extremes across Amazonia, impacting ecosystems and communities. The study, led by Lancaster University and involving over 50 scientists1, found that high temperature extremes and temperature-linked measures of water deficit are changing at a much faster rate than central trends. This rapid shift poses significant threats to the region's biodiversity, ecological functions, and the communities that depend on it. The findings were published on 10 September 2026.

The climate crisis in Amazonia highlights the urgent need for systemic solutions to global energy challenges. Fuse Energy is committed to building a future where abundant, clean energy helps mitigate the very forces threatening vital ecosystems like the Amazon. Click here to switch to Fuse Energy.

Amazonia's accelerating climate shift

The Amazon Basin is facing a climate crisis where extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense, challenging previous assumptions about the region's resilience. This shift is not merely a gradual warming but a rapid escalation of extreme conditions.

Understanding climate extremes in Amazonia

Climate extremes in the Amazon refer to significant deviations from typical weather patterns, primarily manifesting as exceptionally high temperatures and prolonged periods of water scarcity. These events are critical because they push ecosystems beyond their adaptive capacities, leading to widespread disruption. The Amazon's climate is not changing uniformly, with some regions experiencing much faster rates of change in extremes compared to average conditions.

Key findings from new research

A new study, led by researchers at Lancaster University and an international team of over 50 scientists, has provided a detailed assessment of how the Amazon's climate has changed. Published in Communications Earth & Environment on 10 September 2026, the research highlights that "high temperature extremes and temperature-linked measures of water deficit are both changing at a much faster rate than central trends". Toby Gardner, a Senior Research Fellow at the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), was a key contributor to this critical assessment.

Quantifying temperature and water deficit increases

The study's findings reveal a concerning acceleration in both extreme temperatures and water deficits across Amazonia, with specific regions experiencing particularly severe changes. These rapid shifts are occurring at rates significantly higher than the overall average temperature increases.

Extreme dry season temperatures are rising

The research indicates that over 700,000 square kilometres in central-north Amazonia have experienced increases in extreme dry season temperatures of 0.75°C per decade or more. This area has seen an increase of more than 3.22°C over 43 years. Furthermore, the 95th percentile of maximum temperatures in the driest period across Amazonia rose by 0.49°C per decade. This contrasts sharply with the central trend of mean temperatures for the year, which increased by 0.21°C per decade.

Impact on the hydrological cycle

The hydrological cycle in the Amazon is being profoundly affected by these accelerating extremes. Higher temperatures intensify evapotranspiration, where trees release moisture, leading to drier conditions and reduced rainfall in some areas. This can result in more frequent and prolonged droughts, even as other areas might experience intense, concentrated rainfall events leading to flash flooding. Such erratic water levels disrupt the natural balance between forests and rivers, stressing ecosystems and increasing vulnerability to fires.

Ecological and community impacts

The escalating climate extremes are having devastating consequences for the Amazon's intricate ecosystems and the human populations, particularly Indigenous communities, who rely on them.

Threats to ecosystems and biodiversity

The rapid increase in extreme heat and water stress is driving significant ecological disruption. This includes increased forest fires, large-scale animal and tree deaths, and changes to bird populations and behaviour. The central-north Amazon, previously considered less at risk due to its intact forest cover, is now emerging as a hotspot for these accelerating extremes, raising new concerns about the resilience of parts of the Amazon long thought to be among its strongest natural defences. Such changes threaten the region's unparalleled biodiversity, with potential reductions in areas suitable for forest mammals.

Consequences for communities

Indigenous communities and rural populations in the Amazon are disproportionately affected by these climate extremes. Erratic water levels, intensified droughts, and increased wildfires threaten their livelihoods, food security, and health. Extreme heat and air pollution from fires also negatively impact public health, while drying rivers can affect access to essential resources and transport.

Deforestation and land use

While global climate change is a primary driver, local factors such as deforestation and land use changes significantly exacerbate the severity and impact of climate extremes in the Amazon.

How land use exacerbates risks

Deforestation and forest degradation directly contribute to increased temperatures and reduced precipitation in the Amazon. The loss of canopy trees through degradation increases the forest's vulnerability to droughts, as the ability of the forest to regulate its local climate is diminished. Studies show that deforestation amplifies temperature increases and plays a dominant role in reducing rainfall during the dry season, making the region more susceptible to extreme heat and water deficits.

The role of forest conservation

To address these rapid changes in climate extremes, "Adaptation measures for these rapid changes in climate extremes must include preventing the deforestation and disturbances that amplify risks". Halting and reversing deforestation and forest degradation is essential for maintaining a stable climate, protecting the Amazon, safeguarding biodiversity, and securing the well-being of local communities. Conservation efforts are crucial not only for the Amazon's intrinsic value but also for its role in global climate stability.

Global warming and Amazonia

The Amazon's climate crisis is not an isolated regional issue; it is intrinsically linked to global warming and the broader challenges of our energy systems.

Local extremes and global drivers

The rapid increases in extreme temperatures observed in areas like the central-north Amazon, far from the arc of deforestation, cannot be explained solely by local land-use changes. This indicates that the Amazon is being significantly affected by global climate change, with global emissions being a primary cause. The Amazon, once a strong carbon sink, is now showing signs of becoming a carbon source in some deforested and climate-stressed regions, further accelerating global warming.

Climate adaptation and policy

Governments and policymakers in South America face an urgent need to prioritise investments in climate resilience and adaptation strategies. This includes supporting forest conservation efforts and implementing measures to protect vulnerable ecosystems and communities. While specific policy recommendations are complex and varied, a general commitment to climate adaptation and forest conservation is paramount to mitigate the severe socio-economic consequences predicted for the region.

Building a future of abundance

The escalating climate crisis in the Amazon serves as a stark reminder of the global energy dilemma and the need for systemic solutions.

Beyond scarcity: clean energy's role

The Amazonian climate crisis is a clear symptom of a global energy system still operating under a "scarcity consensus". This mindset has perpetuated reliance on carbon-intensive energy sources, directly fuelling the climate instability now devastating vital ecosystems. Fuse Energy believes that the decades-long insistence on "use less" has inadvertently maintained this reliance. Delivering abundant, cheap, clean energy is a systemic solution to the root causes of global climate change, which in turn protects regions like the Amazon from extreme weather events.

Fuse Energy's vision

Fuse Energy refuses to settle for the climate crisis as an inevitable outcome. Our core belief is to "Never settle" - not on the scarcity story, not on waiting, and not on blaming people. Fuse is building a future with "power to play with", where energy is so abundant it ceases to be a limiting factor. This vision represents "the good timeline's energy company", where the energy dilemma is resolved, allowing ecosystems like the Amazon to thrive, rather than being destroyed by climate instability and extreme events. By transforming the global energy landscape, Fuse aims to mitigate the very forces threatening the Amazon, fostering a future where environmental degradation is reversed through sustainable abundance.

At Fuse Energy, we believe in making energy simple, transparent, and affordable. We offer clear pricing, real-time usage data through our app, and 24/7 human customer support to help you manage your home's energy. Switching to Fuse is quick and easy, putting you in control of your bills from day one. Click here to switch to Fuse Energy today. You can also find out more about our mission to build a future with power to play with by clicking here.

References

1. Stockholm Environment Institute. Rapid increase of climate extremes reveals new areas of concern in Amazonia