The Amazon Is Morphing Into a 'Hypertropical' Climate—and It’s as Apocalyptic as It Sounds

When it comes to regulating Earth’s climate, few ecosystems play a more important role than the Amazon rainforest . But what happens when global warming dramatically alters the Amazon’s climate?

A study published Wednesday in Nature suggests a major shift is already underway. The findings show that the Amazon is transitioning to a new “hypertropical” climate with unprecedented hot drought conditions (severe dry spells amplified by extreme heat) that haven’t been seen on Earth for tens of millions of years. This shift is a direct result of rising global temperatures, the researchers concluded.

By 2100, the rainforest could experience up to 150 days of hot drought conditions each year, potentially leading to mass tree die-offs, according to the study. This exposes a dangerous feedbac