bbc--2020-05-27--End of home advantage? What Premier League can learn from Bundesliga empty stadiums

An end to home advantage , more young players and weird celebrations - are these among the things we can expect to see in the Premier League when it restarts inside empty stadiums ?
The past two weeks of Bundesliga action have given us an insight into how the game has been affected behind closed doors in Germany .
And there have been benefits , as well as disadvantages , to playing without fans .
Here are a few things we have noticed that could have an impact on the Premier League .
Is there any advantage still to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support of your fans in the stadium and it 's no longer intimidating for the opponents ?
The past two weeks of the Bundesliga suggest that could be the case .
Only three wins have been picked up at home in 22 matches .
And more goals have been scored by the away teams too ( 44 compared to 25 . )
Borussia Dortmund hoped for some home advantage in their top-of-the-table match with Bayern Munich on Tuesday but it was the league leaders who pulled away even further with a 1-0 win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who started the day fourth , 4-1 on the same night .
Borussia Monchengladbach scored their fastest Bundesliga goal in five years ( 37 seconds ) in a 3-1 win at Frankfurt and Mainz avoided an away defeat after trailing by at least two goals for the first time since 2017 when they came back to draw 2-2 at Cologne .
Mainz also lost a Bundesliga match by a score of 5-0 for the first time in their history in the next home game against RB Leipzig , while Augsburg registered their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ October 2017 against Schalke .
Several Premier League clubs believe that , even without fans , there is an advantage to be had by playing at home , rather than at neutral venues , as has been discussed .
Watford chairman Scott Duxbury said on 9 May that playing games away from Vicarage Road would cost them `` the familiarity and advantage '' that home matches provide .
But , so far at least , home teams are the ones suffering in the Bundesliga .
Some things were exactly the same as Dortmund @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early kick-off on 16 May - Erling Braut Haaland scoring , for example .
His goal in the 29th minute set Dortmund on their way to a comfortable 4-0 victory in front of an empty Westfalenstadion .
But the celebrations were definitely different .
With no fans in the ground , there was no outpouring of emotion from the stands , no roar when the ball crossed the line and no pile-on of players due to social distancing measures .
Instead , Haaland 's team-mates formed an arc around him from a short @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strange dance on his own in the corner .
Hertha Berlin forward Vedad Ibisevic , who celebrated with team-mates during their 3-0 win at Hoffenheim , said footballers are `` not robots '' and have to be `` passionate '' .
But Freiburg keeper Alexander Schwolow pointed out an advantage to the lack of fans .
`` Football lives off fans and the people we can excite , '' said Schwolow following their 1-1 draw with RB Leipzig .
`` But on the pitch we communicated more because we can hear each other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absence of vociferous , partisan fans would mean a calmer atmosphere and that referees would need to show fewer yellow and red cards .
But it seems little has changed on that front in the Bundesliga .
There were 24 bookings given on the first weekend after the restart , while 25 were shown this weekend .
That follows the pattern from the previous five gameweeks , in which an average of 24 yellow cards had been given .
There were no red cards shown on the first weekend but two players were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Felix Klaus in Wolfsburg 's defeat by Borussia Dortmund and Philipp Bargfrede in Werder Bremen 's victory over Freiburg .
That was just the fourth time in the past 12 gameweeks that more than one red card had been shown .
While it appears refereeing decisions have not been impacted , Match of the Day pundit Gary Lineker says there is `` considerably more playing time '' as the players have not been encouraged to waste time and play-act by supporters .
The Bundesliga is renowned for showcasing some of Europe 's top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been no different .
Dortmund 's 19-year-old striker Haaland and Bayer Leverkusen 's Kai Havertz , 20 , have stolen headlines with their goalscoring form of late .
But are there benefits to not having any fans in the stadium for other youngsters hoping to break through ?
No verbal abuse from opposition fans and not having to worry about the `` occasion '' presents an opportunity for young debutants to flourish with reduced pressure .
Florian Wirtz made history in a 4-1 win over Werder Bremen last Monday when he became @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 17 years , 15 days ) - the third youngest overall in the competition .
So will we see more of the Premier League 's youngsters given a chance ?

How will the Premier League be affected when it returns behind closed doors?
An end to home advantage, more young players and weird celebrations - are these among the things we can expect to see in the Premier League when it restarts inside empty stadiums?
The past two weeks of Bundesliga action have given us an insight into how the game has been affected behind closed doors in Germany.
And there have been benefits, as well as disadvantages, to playing without fans.
Here are a few things we have noticed that could have an impact on the Premier League.
An end to home advantage?
Over 13,000 Borussia Monchengladbach fans paid to have a cardboard cut-out of themselves at Borussia Park
Is there any advantage still to be had when you don't have the support of your fans in the stadium and it's no longer intimidating for the opponents?
The past two weeks of the Bundesliga suggest that could be the case. Only three wins have been picked up at home in 22 matches. And more goals have been scored by the away teams too (44 compared to 25.)
Borussia Dortmund hoped for some home advantage in their top-of-the-table match with Bayern Munich on Tuesday but it was the league leaders who pulled away even further with a 1-0 win. And visitors Wolfsburg thrashed Bayer Leverkusen, who started the day fourth, 4-1 on the same night.
BBC Sport live texter Tom Rostance reacting to Wolfsburg's third goal against Bayer Leverkusen
Borussia Monchengladbach scored their fastest Bundesliga goal in five years (37 seconds) in a 3-1 win at Frankfurt and Mainz avoided an away defeat after trailing by at least two goals for the first time since 2017 when they came back to draw 2-2 at Cologne.
Mainz also lost a Bundesliga match by a score of 5-0 for the first time in their history in the next home game against RB Leipzig, while Augsburg registered their biggest away win in the league since October 2017 against Schalke.
Several Premier League clubs believe that, even without fans, there is an advantage to be had by playing at home, rather than at neutral venues, as has been discussed.
Watford chairman Scott Duxbury said on 9 May that playing games away from Vicarage Road would cost them "the familiarity and advantage" that home matches provide.
But, so far at least, home teams are the ones suffering in the Bundesliga.
Weird celebrations
Erling Braut Haaland celebrates scoring the opening goal in Borussia Dortmund's 4-0 win over Schalke
Some things were exactly the same as Dortmund and Schalke took centre stage in the early kick-off on 16 May - Erling Braut Haaland scoring, for example.
His goal in the 29th minute set Dortmund on their way to a comfortable 4-0 victory in front of an empty Westfalenstadion.
But the celebrations were definitely different.
With no fans in the ground, there was no outpouring of emotion from the stands, no roar when the ball crossed the line and no pile-on of players due to social distancing measures.
Instead, Haaland's team-mates formed an arc around him from a short distance and applauded as he did a strange dance on his own in the corner.
Hertha Berlin forward Vedad Ibisevic, who celebrated with team-mates during their 3-0 win at Hoffenheim, said footballers are "not robots" and have to be "passionate".
But Freiburg keeper Alexander Schwolow pointed out an advantage to the lack of fans.
"Football lives off fans and the people we can excite," said Schwolow following their 1-1 draw with RB Leipzig. "But on the pitch we communicated more because we can hear each other better."
Less pressure on referees
Philipp Bargfrede leaves the pitch after being sent off in the 88th minute against Freiburg
You might think the absence of vociferous, partisan fans would mean a calmer atmosphere and that referees would need to show fewer yellow and red cards.
But it seems little has changed on that front in the Bundesliga.
There were 24 bookings given on the first weekend after the restart, while 25 were shown this weekend.
That follows the pattern from the previous five gameweeks, in which an average of 24 yellow cards had been given.
There were no red cards shown on the first weekend but two players were given their marching orders this weekend - Felix Klaus in Wolfsburg's defeat by Borussia Dortmund and Philipp Bargfrede in Werder Bremen's victory over Freiburg.
That was just the fourth time in the past 12 gameweeks that more than one red card had been shown.
While it appears refereeing decisions have not been impacted, Match of the Day pundit Gary Lineker says there is "considerably more playing time" as the players have not been encouraged to waste time and play-act by supporters.
A chance for young players to thrive
Florian Wirtz became the youngest player to start for Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga
The Bundesliga is renowned for showcasing some of Europe's top young talent and the past two weekends have been no different.
Dortmund's 19-year-old striker Haaland and Bayer Leverkusen's Kai Havertz, 20, have stolen headlines with their goalscoring form of late.
But are there benefits to not having any fans in the stadium for other youngsters hoping to break through?
No verbal abuse from opposition fans and not having to worry about the "occasion" presents an opportunity for young debutants to flourish with reduced pressure.
Florian Wirtz made history in a 4-1 win over Werder Bremen last Monday when he became Bayer Leverkusen's youngest Bundesliga player (17 years, 15 days) - the third youngest overall in the competition.
So will we see more of the Premier League's youngsters given a chance?


bbc--2020-05-27--Fight Talk: Tyson Fury, Mike Tyson, Dereck Chisora, Floyd Mayweather and Tommy Fury

Last updated on .From the section Boxing In this week 's Fight Talk we look at heavyweights who just wo n't let a rivalry die , and reveal how a fight between Mike Tyson and Tyson Fury might not be total fantasy .
There 's also an American middleweight facing some heat and news on how Floyd Mayweather 's work as a trainer is causing a rift in Las Vegas .
Things are getting a bit weird , are n't they ?
Fury , who was named after 'Iron Mike ' , has spoken about moves being made by Tyson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sport in bouts that can raise money for good causes .
`` I had a phone call saying 'would you like to fight Mike Tyson in an exhibition fight ? '
'' Fury told BT Sport .
`` I said 'hell yeah ' , but I do n't think anything 's materialised out of it .
`` I would n't try to kill anybody 's dreams of doing anything they want .
If they 're both medically fit to fight then let them do what they 've got to do . ''
Holyfield @ @ @ @ @ @ @ training videos that belong in a Rocky movie and former world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko has even turned out .
So if Klitschko says age is just a number for 57-year-old Holyfield , then Tyson 's return to the ring must be a cakewalk given he is only 53 .
`` If he 's back in the ring , I would love to see it , '' unified world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua told British GQ .
`` I 'd definitely be one of the viewers , that 's for sure . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , are not so keen .
If nothing else , Tyson 's work has sparked an admirable body transformation .
Those Joe Wicks workouts are clearly beginning to show .
As Britain turned its attention towards Monday 's statement from Dominic Cummings - the key adviser to Prime Minister Boris Johnson who drove 250 miles or so to self-isolate - one promoter felt those screening the event could have made some money .
One of the first pay-per-view shows the country could see when boxing does resume will likely be Dillian Whyte 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Floyd causes rift with the pads Slightly less controversial gym work has seen Floyd Mayweather draw praise for the functional pad drills he has been doing with 21-year-old world lightweight champion Devin Haney .
Not everyone was in awe of the methods though .
Gervonta Davis - who also holds a portion of a world lightweight title and who Mayweather has helped guide in the past - has apparently scrapped his Vegas camp as a result of the Floyd-Haney union .
So you ca n't please everyone .
We would tell Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' but at 50-0 , he may disagree .
Tommy Fury pulled out the stops for the 21st birthday of partner Molly-Mae Hague .
The British light-heavyweight not only bought a puppy for his fellow Love Island star but somehow managed to get the young pup to write a note .
`` Mummy , I ca n't wait to meet you in a few days , until then have the best birthday and I 'm sure daddy will be spoiling you rotten , '' the note read .
That is one talented dog @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
And finally in boxing 's world of brash talk , Billy Joe Saunders offered a touch of humility in his chase of a shot at Mexican belt collector and darling of Las Vegas Saul 'Canelo ' Alvarez .
Rarely has a fighter used his inability to fill a venue as a potential plus point .
The joke was kind of lost on Saunders ' British rival Chris Eubank Jr though .
`` He does n't deserve the fight and if he gets the fight he is going to lose , '' Eubank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will go in there to survive , dance around the ring and stink the place out .
No-one wants to see that . ''
Given we 've waited since March for some UK boxing and have resorted to an obsession with the return of heavyweights in their fifties a stinker of a bout might do quite nicely .

Last updated on .From the section Boxing
In this week's Fight Talk we look at heavyweights who just won't let a rivalry die, and reveal how a fight between Mike Tyson and Tyson Fury might not be total fantasy. There's also an American middleweight facing some heat and news on how Floyd Mayweather's work as a trainer is causing a rift in Las Vegas.
Picking fantasy fights between greats from any era has proven a popular way to pass time for fans during the boxing shutdown, but perhaps a one-off meeting between Tyson Fury and Mike Tyson actually has legs.
Things are getting a bit weird, aren't they?
Fury, who was named after 'Iron Mike', has spoken about moves being made by Tyson and Evander Holyfield to return to the sport in bouts that can raise money for good causes.
"I had a phone call saying 'would you like to fight Mike Tyson in an exhibition fight?'" Fury told BT Sport.
"I said 'hell yeah', but I don't think anything's materialised out of it.
"I wouldn't try to kill anybody's dreams of doing anything they want. If they're both medically fit to fight then let them do what they've got to do."
Holyfield has been posting the kind of motivational training videos that belong in a Rocky movie and former world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko has even turned out.
So if Klitschko says age is just a number for 57-year-old Holyfield, then Tyson's return to the ring must be a cakewalk given he is only 53.
"If he's back in the ring, I would love to see it," unified world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua told British GQ. "I'd definitely be one of the viewers, that's for sure."
Others, including British fighter Shannon Courtenay, are not so keen.
If nothing else, Tyson's work has sparked an admirable body transformation. Those Joe Wicks workouts are clearly beginning to show.
'Del Boy' answers Russian call
As Britain turned its attention towards Monday's statement from Dominic Cummings - the key adviser to Prime Minister Boris Johnson who drove 250 miles or so to self-isolate - one promoter felt those screening the event could have made some money.
One of the first pay-per-view shows the country could see when boxing does resume will likely be Dillian Whyte's heavyweight bout with Russia's Alexander Povetkin.
In unpatriotic but typical boxing style, Whyte's rival Dereck Chisora could not resist the chance to plot against the man who has beaten him twice in recent years.
"I've already said to Povetkin that, if he needs me, I'll come and help him. I'll fly to Russia," Chisora told Sky Sports.
"He said that he'd get me a private jet to come. Povetkin is my boy."
Sparring, bullying and name calling
While British boxers wait to be allowed to spar again, a few have turned on unbeaten American middleweight Austin 'Ammo' Williams.
The 24-year-old posted footage of him hammering a sparring partner, prompting an angry reaction from Britain's Billy Joe Saunders.
"That poor man clearly can't hold his hands up properly. When I'm in US I'll move you around and we will see what happens then," Saunders wrote on Twitter.
At first, Williams responded by stating he could see why the footage may be "frowned upon".
But the Texas-based fighter quickly hit back at Saunders and then shared screen shots of conversations with British light-middleweight Anthony Fowler which include him calling the Liverpudlian a "washed up bum". That was one of the more tame references by the way.
Floyd causes rift with the pads
Slightly less controversial gym work has seen Floyd Mayweather draw praise for the functional pad drills he has been doing with 21-year-old world lightweight champion Devin Haney.
Not everyone was in awe of the methods though. Gervonta Davis - who also holds a portion of a world lightweight title and who Mayweather has helped guide in the past - has apparently scrapped his Vegas camp as a result of the Floyd-Haney union.
So you can't please everyone. We would tell Floyd he "can't win them all" but at 50-0, he may disagree.
Fury earns unanimous birthday win
Tommy Fury pulled out the stops for the 21st birthday of partner Molly-Mae Hague.
The British light-heavyweight not only bought a puppy for his fellow Love Island star but somehow managed to get the young pup to write a note.
"Mummy, I can't wait to meet you in a few days, until then have the best birthday and I'm sure daddy will be spoiling you rotten," the note read.
That is one talented dog.
A stinker with no fans anyone?
And finally in boxing's world of brash talk, Billy Joe Saunders offered a touch of humility in his chase of a shot at Mexican belt collector and darling of Las Vegas Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez.
Rarely has a fighter used his inability to fill a venue as a potential plus point. The joke was kind of lost on Saunders' British rival Chris Eubank Jr though.
"He doesn't deserve the fight and if he gets the fight he is going to lose," Eubank Jr told IFL TV. "Saunders will go in there to survive, dance around the ring and stink the place out. No-one wants to see that."
Given we've waited since March for some UK boxing and have resorted to an obsession with the return of heavyweights in their fifties a stinker of a bout might do quite nicely.


bbc--2020-05-23--Your 10 questions about the mission answered

Elon Musk 's company SpaceX is about to launch its space vehicle - the Crew Dragon - with astronauts onboard for the first time .
Here , we answer some common questions about the mission .
Nasa has been planning to hand over the transport of crew to the International Space Station ( ISS ) since the early 2000s .
After the Columbia space shuttle broke up during its return to Earth in 2003 , the space agency focused on developing a replacement spaceship that could travel to the Moon .
Involving private firms in the transfer of crew and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ step to afford that programme .
In 2014 , entrepreneur Elon Musk 's company SpaceX and aerospace giant Boeing were announced as winners of a Nasa contract for crew transport services .
SpaceX is launching its spacecraft first ; the Crew Dragon spacecraft will lift off on Wednesday atop a Falcon 9 rocket from Florida 's Kennedy Space Center .
SpaceX is an American company that provides commercial and government launch services on its Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets .
Entrepreneur Elon Musk founded the company in 2002 , with the goal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the colonisation of Mars .
SpaceX was the first private company to routinely return rocket stages to Earth under propulsive power so they could be re-flown rather than being discarded .
It has been conducting regular flights of cargo to the ISS , and will now aim to begin launching astronauts .
Musk 's company is also developing a bigger spacecraft to carry humans - called Starship - which could begin the process of settling Mars .
Born in South Africa , Elon Musk made more than $ 160m from the sale of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His desire to see humanity become a true space-faring civilisation was a driving factor behind the founding of SpaceX .
But he has also been involved in founding a variety of other companies such as the electric car manufacturer Tesla .
He also conceived a project called Hyperloop , a high-speed transportation system using pods that travel through a system of tubes .
His colourful personality and lifestyle made him the inspiration for Robert Downey Jr 's interpretation of Marvel Comics character Tony Stark .
Musk is no stranger to controversy : his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him being forced out as the chairman of Tesla ( though he remained as CEO ) .
Why is the launch so important ?
Since the retirement of the space shuttle in 2011 , Nasa has been paying Russia tens of millions of dollars to launch its astronauts on the Soyuz spacecraft .
The Crew Dragon launch from Florida marks the first launch of humans from US soil in nine years .
As such , it is seen as crucial for restoring American prestige in human spaceflight .
This will also be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ astronauts into orbit .
How can I watch it ?
The BBC will be streaming the launch live from 21:00 BST ( 16:00 BST ) on the live page where we will be covering the build-up .
What is the Crew Dragon ?
The Crew Dragon is the spacecraft that will transport astronauts to the ISS on Wednesday .
It is a sleek evolution of the Dragon spacecraft which was built to ferry cargo to the orbiting outpost .
The Crew Dragon is designed to carry a maximum of seven passengers , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rest of the space taken up by supplies .
It is equipped with thrusters that enable it to manoeuvre in space and will dock - or attach - to the space station under autonomous control .
Unlike previous spacecraft designed for humans , the crew cabin features touchscreen controls in place of physical buttons .
Who are the astronauts flying to space ?
Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley are Nasa astronauts .
They were selected in 2000 and have each flown to space twice on the space shuttle .
They are among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ astronaut corps and both trained as test pilots - which has been critical for putting the new spacecraft through its paces .
Hurley has spent a total of 28 days and 11 hours in space , while Behnken has accumulated a total of 29 days and 12 hours , including 37 hours of spacewalking time .
Both men are also married to astronauts .
• Nasa SpaceX launch : Who are the astronauts ?
What are the astronauts there to do ?
Spacecraft designed to carry astronauts have to go through a process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This launch is essentially the final step in that validation process .
Once in orbit , Behnken and Hurley will test the Crew Dragon 's environmental control system , the displays and controls and the manoeuvring thrusters .
They will monitor the autonomous docking system during the approach to the space station and will become members of the ISS crew .
At the orbiting outpost , they will continue performing tests on the Crew Dragon along with other tasks related to the space station .
When it 's time to return to Earth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the Atlantic Ocean .
The capsule and crew will then be recovered by a ship called Go Navigator .
What if something goes wrong during the launch ?
The Crew Dragon has a built-in abort system , designed to save the lives of its crew in the event of an emergency .
If there 's a problem during lift-off , such as a rocket engine cut-off , the Crew Dragon will fire engines to propel the vehicle and its occupants free of the rocket .
The capsule will then parachute down to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its in-flight abort system on 19 January 2020 .
What about those spacesuits ?
The flight suits that Behnken and Hurley will wear in the capsule look very different to previous designs .
In stark contrast to the bulky pumpkin-coloured suits and round helmets familiar from the space shuttle era , SpaceX 's suits are slimline , white , one-piece numbers with sleek , 3D-printed helmets .
Each one is custom made for the astronaut .
If they look like something from a science fiction movie , that 's probably because their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jose Fernandez , who has worked on the Batman , X-Men and Thor movies .
But the suits also have to be practical ; they 're designed to keep the crew alive in the event of a cabin depressurisation - where the air is lost from the inside of the spacecraft .
What happens next ?
If the Crew Dragon Demo-2 mission is successful , SpaceX will proceed with the six `` operational '' missions to the ISS they are required to fly under their $ 2.6bn contract with Nasa .
Boeing holds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to transport crew to the space station using its CST-100 Starliner vehicle .

Nasa SpaceX launch: Key questions about the mission Published 23 May 2020
Image source, SpaceX Image caption, Crew Dragon will become the first commercial spacecraft to carry humans to the space station
Elon Musk's company SpaceX has launched its space vehicle - the Crew Dragon - with astronauts onboard for the first time. Here, we answer some common questions about the mission.
Why is a private company launching Nasa astronauts?
Nasa has been planning to hand over the transport of crew to the International Space Station (ISS) since the early 2000s. After the Columbia space shuttle broke up during its return to Earth in 2003, the space agency focused on developing a replacement spaceship that could travel to the Moon.
Involving private firms in the transfer of crew and cargo to the ISS was a necessary step to afford that programme. In 2014, entrepreneur Elon Musk's company SpaceX and aerospace giant Boeing were announced as winners of a Nasa contract for crew transport services. SpaceX is launching its spacecraft first; the Crew Dragon spacecraft will lift off atop a Falcon 9 rocket from Florida's Kennedy Space Center.
What is SpaceX?
SpaceX is an American company that provides commercial and government launch services on its Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets. Entrepreneur Elon Musk founded the company in 2002, with the goal of reducing space transportation costs, enabling the colonisation of Mars.
SpaceX was the first private company to routinely return rocket stages to Earth under propulsive power so they could be re-flown rather than being discarded. It has been conducting regular flights of cargo to the ISS, and will now aim to begin launching astronauts. Musk's company is also developing a bigger spacecraft to carry humans - called Starship - which could begin the process of settling Mars.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, SpaceX launch: What is SpaceX and why is it working with Nasa?
Who is Elon Musk?
Born in South Africa, Elon Musk made more than $160m from the sale of online payment service PayPal to eBay. His desire to see humanity become a true space-faring civilisation was a driving factor behind the founding of SpaceX. But he has also been involved in founding a variety of other companies such as the electric car manufacturer Tesla.
He also conceived a project called Hyperloop, a high-speed transportation system using pods that travel through a system of tubes. His colourful personality and lifestyle made him the inspiration for Robert Downey Jr's interpretation of Marvel Comics character Tony Stark. Musk is no stranger to controversy: his tweets have triggered lawsuits and led to him being forced out as the chairman of Tesla (though he remained as CEO).
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, Who is Elon Musk? Meet the meme-loving magnate behind SpaceX and Tesla...published in 2021
Why is the launch so important?
Since the retirement of the space shuttle in 2011, Nasa has been paying Russia tens of millions of dollars to launch its astronauts on the Soyuz spacecraft. The Crew Dragon launch from Florida marks the first launch of humans from US soil in nine years. As such, it is seen as crucial for restoring American prestige in human spaceflight. It's also the first time a private company has launched astronauts into orbit.
What is the Crew Dragon?
The Crew Dragon is the spacecraft that transports astronauts to the ISS. It is a sleek evolution of the Dragon spacecraft which was built to ferry cargo to the orbiting outpost. The Crew Dragon is designed to carry a maximum of seven passengers, but Nasa flights will carry four, with the rest of the space taken up by supplies.
It is equipped with thrusters that enable it to manoeuvre in space and will dock - or attach - to the space station under autonomous control. Unlike previous spacecraft designed for humans, the crew cabin features touchscreen controls in place of physical buttons.
Image source, Spacex Image caption, The Crew Dragon will seat a maximum of four during Nasa missions to the ISS
Who are the astronauts flying to space?
Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley are Nasa astronauts. They were selected in 2000 and have each flown to space twice on the space shuttle. They are among the most experienced members of Nasa's astronaut corps and both trained as test pilots - which has been critical for putting the new spacecraft through its paces. Hurley has spent a total of 28 days and 11 hours in space, while Behnken has accumulated a total of 29 days and 12 hours, including 37 hours of spacewalking time. Both men are also married to astronauts.
Image source, Reuters Image caption, Bob Behnken (L) and Doug Hurley arrived in Florida on 20 May to prepare for launch
What are the astronauts there to do?
Spacecraft designed to carry astronauts have to go through a process that ensures they can operate safely. This launch is essentially the final step in that validation process. Behnken and Hurley are testing the Crew Dragon's environmental control system, the displays and controls and the manoeuvring thrusters.
They monitored the autonomous docking system during the approach to the space station and became members of the ISS crew. At the orbiting outpost, they will continue performing tests on the Crew Dragon along with other tasks related to the space station. When it's time to return to Earth, the Crew Dragon will parachute down into the Atlantic Ocean. The capsule and crew will then be recovered by a ship called Go Navigator.
What if something had gone wrong during the launch?
The Crew Dragon has a built-in abort system, designed to save the lives of its crew in the event of an emergency. If there's a problem during lift-off, such as a rocket engine cut-off, the Crew Dragon fires engines to propel the vehicle and its occupants free of the rocket. The capsule will then parachute down to safety. SpaceX successfully conducted a test of its in-flight abort system on 19 January 2020.
What about those spacesuits?
The flight suits that Behnken and Hurley wear in the capsule look very different to previous designs. In stark contrast to the bulky pumpkin-coloured suits and round helmets familiar from the space shuttle era, SpaceX's suits are slimline, white, one-piece numbers with sleek, 3D-printed helmets. Each one is custom made for the astronaut.
If they look like something from a science fiction movie, that's probably because their look was devised by Hollywood costume designer Jose Fernandez, who has worked on the Batman, X-Men and Thor movies. But the suits also have to be practical; they're designed to keep the crew alive in the event of a cabin depressurisation - where the air is lost from the inside of the spacecraft.
Image source, NASA Image caption, The flight suits are futuristic, but also have to be practical
What happens next?
If the Crew Dragon Demo-2 mission is successful, SpaceX will proceed with the six "operational" missions to the ISS they are required to fly under their $2.6bn contract with Nasa. Boeing holds a similar deal, worth $4.2bn, to transport crew to the space station using its CST-100 Starliner vehicle.


bbc--2020-05-24--Nasa SpaceX mission timeline in graphics

On Wednesday , the California company SpaceX will launch a mission to the International Space Station ( ISS ) .
It 's something the firm has done many times before , taking cargo to the sky-high laboratory .
But on this occasion , the firm will be transporting people .
It 's one of those seminal moments in the history of spaceflight .
When Nasa astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken lift off atop their Falcon-9 rocket , inside their Crew Dragon capsule , it will mark the first time humans have left US territory to reach low-Earth orbit in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , it sees a shift to the commercialisation of human space transportation - of companies selling `` taxi '' rides to government and anyone else who wants to purchase the service .
This page details the key phases in the mission sequence .
Launch will occur from the Kennedy Space Center 's Complex 39A .
This is the famous Florida pad from where the Apollo 11 moonwalkers and the very first shuttle , Columbia , also began their missions .
Timing is precise .
The Falcon must leave the ground at 16:33 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , or the astronauts wo n't be able to catch the ISS which passes overhead at 27,000km/h ( 17,000mph ) .
Falcon-9 is a two-stage rocket .
Its lower-segment will fire for 2.5 minutes before shutting down and separating .
This will leave the second stage to burn for a further six minutes to get Dragon into orbit .
Once detached , the capsule will then make the rest of the journey to the ISS using its own thrusters .
The second stage of the rocket will be commanded to burn up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the booster aims to touch down on a drone ship in the Atlantic .
This is a SpaceX speciality that sets its Falcon apart from all other orbital rockets in use today .
It seems remarkable but Nasa astronauts have not had the use of a brand new spaceship design for 39 years .
Not since John Young and Bob Crippen climbed aboard the Columbia orbiter .
Their shuttle had dials , switches and a control stick .
Dragon is all touchscreen .
It 's an automated vessel so it plots a path @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Behnken must practise manual flying in case there is some sort of anomaly .
Dragon Capsule was conceived to handle every imagined scenario , including a failure of the rocket on the pad or in flight .
If this happens , the ship will use a powerful in-built propulsion system to push itself to a safe distance .
SpaceX has rehearsed this possibility both on the ground and in mid-air .
This mission should see Dragon reach the ISS after about 19 hours of flight .
The capsule will line itself up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and approach at a relative speed of just a few centimetres per second .
Once attached , hooks make an airtight seal .
The length of Hurley 's and Behnken 's stay aboard the 420km-high ISS is not yet fixed .
It should be more than a couple of months but is unlikely to be longer than 120 days .
Engineers say the solar cells on the Dragon degrade in orbit and so Nasa is sure to bring the crewmen home well before the hardware 's performance is compromised .
The descent to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ astronauts plan a two-hour free-flight to further test onboard systems and procedures .
When the de-orbit burn is eventually called , Dragon will be protected in its fall through the atmosphere by a heat shield .
Four big parachutes will slow the spacecraft to a gentle splashdown in the Atlantic , just off the American coastline .
SpaceX teams have gone over the process of retrieving the capsule many times .
Jonathan.Amos-INTERNET @ bbc.co.uk and follow me on Twitter : @ BBCAmos

Falcon-9 is a two-stage rocket. Its lower-segment will fire for 2.5 minutes before shutting down and separating. This will leave the second stage to burn for a further six minutes to get Dragon into orbit. Once detached, the capsule will then make the rest of the journey to the ISS using its own thrusters.


bbc--2020-05-21--Amazon under threat: Fires, loggers and now virus

So what is driving deforestation in each of the Amazon nations , how much primary forest have they lost and what are their governments doing ?
`` People have no idea what it would mean to lose this magnificent hydrological system . ''
Antonio Nobre says : `` The ring made by central-southern Brazil and the River Plate basin would be a desert if it was n't for the Amazon .
It affects the ecosystem of the whole region , including those who are not part of the Amazon itself , and beyond .
More than 33 million people live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the population of South America - in towns , cities , riverside communities and indigenous villages .
There are at least 100 tribes who have had little or no contact with outsiders .
Deforestation and its causes are a major source of friction between the governments of the nine Amazon nations , environmentalists , companies and indigenous groups : the desire for economic development clashes , in the main , with the preservation of the Amazon and its native peoples .
That does n't seem an easy task in the near future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or 70,000 sq km in this large area , where the dry season is already much longer , we could help the forest get back to working better and it would be more resilient . ''
`` First , we should adopt a zero deforestation policy in Panamazonas , immediately , together with a reforestation programme in the south , south-east and east of the Amazon , which are the most vulnerable areas . ''
According to Carlos Nobre , there is a way .
`` Replacing the rainforest with another ecosystem , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could happen sooner . ''
`` Even if the conditions we have at the moment stay the same , temperatures in the Amazon region could increase by 8C , taking into account deforestation and global warming by 2070 .
And temperature increases could lead to more heat-related cardiovascular and respiratory diseases , says Beatriz Oliveira , from Brazil 's Climate Change Investigations Network ( Red-Clima ) .
The process of degradation could make the insects look for other sources of food and get closer to urban settlements .
Some studies link deforestation to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , such as malaria and leishmaniasis .
This could have a catastrophic impact on the local economy .
Less rain and higher temperatures mean less water for animals or growing crops like soya .
But Brazilian climatologist Carlos Nobre , says temperatures in the region could increase by 1.5-3C in the areas which become degraded savannahs .
And that is without taking into account possible increases already caused by global warming .
Scientists ca n't say exactly what a sudden transformation of the Amazon rainforest would mean .
This means it could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what could happen after the tipping point ?
The projection , however , still does not take into account degradation because of the difficulty of measuring it across Panamazonas - the joint Amazon biome across the different national borders .
It would cause the length of the dry season and temperatures in the forest to increase .
Trees would start to die and the tropical rainforest could become more like a dry savannah .
This will happen when total deforestation reaches between 20 % and 25 % - and that could happen in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We could be dangerously close to what scientists call `` the tipping point '' - when the nature of the Amazon will completely change .
If deforestation and degradation continue at current levels , the Amazon could stop working as a tropical ecosystem , even if some of it is still standing .
Among the Amazon countries , only Brazil regularly publishes annual degradation figures .
However , scientists from across the region are trying to produce the relevant data to form a wider picture of the current state of the forest .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ measure because although you can see degradation on satellite images , you need to have data from the ground to understand the real picture - whether that area is more or less degraded or is recovering , '' says Alexander Lees .
So why do n't they talk about degradation when measuring forest loss in the Amazon ?
A recent report by the Colombian government confirms that between 2012 and 2015 , its own Amazon region lost 187,955 hectares of forest to deforestation and 414,605 hectares to degradation - more than double .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Amazon are nearly twice as big as the deforested areas .
If we take the deforestation and degradation together , more than 50 % of the Amazon no longer performs environmental services for the region 's climate , says Antonio Nobre .
Degradation also makes the forest less efficient .
It loses , for example , the ability to generate some of its own rain .
And in seven of the nine Amazon countries , they say , degradation is the main source of their carbon dioxide emissions .
Scientists also warn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ releasing stored CO2 .
A new study by Raisg says 47 % of all the emissions in the Amazon are as a result of degradation .
`` Even though not all the vegetation is lost , the soil is drier and more fragile .
This changes the microclimate of the forest and makes it easier for fires to spread because the soil heats up faster , '' explains Dr Alexander Lees , Senior Lecturer in tropical ecology at Manchester Metropolitan University in the UK .
This phenomenon is as much the result of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as human action - such as burning or illegal logging which strip the forest of its vital functions .
However , seen from above , it may seem that the forest is still standing .
Experts like Antonio Nobre believe that deforestation does not show the full picture of what is being lost and we should also take into account `` degradation '' .
A recent study claimed that 20 % of the Amazon is already emitting more CO2 that it absorbs .
For this reason , scientists fear that the Amazon will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead become a serious emitter of CO2 , accelerating the effects of climate change .
One of the direct effects of deforestation is that it releases CO2 stored in the forest .
Forest fires or the decomposition of felled trees both transform the carbon within the tree back into gas .
According to Dr Berenguer , a large tree ( with at least three metres circumference ) can contain between three and four tonnes of carbon .
This is the same as about 10 to 12 tonnes of CO2 , or what a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The older and larger the tree , the more carbon it stores .
A small part of the CO2 absorbed by trees during photosynthesis is released into the atmosphere during respiration .
The rest is transformed into carbon which the trees use to produce the sugars needed for their metabolism .
Primary forest is home to trees that can be hundreds or even thousands of years old .
They perform a powerful role in mitigating the effects of climate change , as they act as an enormous carbon dioxide store .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forest loss have remained high or spiked in most of the Amazon nations .
`` Each hectare deforested means part of the ecosystem ceases to function and this affects the rest , '' says Oxford University rainforest expert Erika Berenguer .
This may seem insignificant - only 0.32 % of the forest in the whole Amazon biome - but it is also a question of quality .
A football pitch is frequently used as a reference because , according to Fifa , the maximum size of a pitch is 1.08 hectares .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is why deforestation calculations can vary so much .
Almost half of this was primary forest - 1.7 million hectares of forest that was still in its original state and rich in biodiversity .
Its destruction was the same as three football pitches of virgin forest being destroyed every minute in 2018 .
In 2018 alone , the tree cover loss in the Amazon reached four million hectares ( 40,000 sq km ) , according to Global Forest Watch .
The most common way of measuring deforestation is `` tree cover loss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ completely erased .
Scientists say that if we do n't reverse current levels of deforestation and degradation , the consequences of climate change could accelerate .
Even if an area does not lose all its trees and vegetation , degradation strips the rainforest of properties that are vital to the planet .
This happens when a combination of pressures on a stretch of forest - such as fires , logging or unlicensed hunting - make it hard for the ecosystem to function properly .
To get a more complete sense of the scale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is necessary to take into account the figures for degradation .
`` The destruction of the Amazon rainforest up till now is much bigger than the almost 20 % that they talk of in the media . ''
`` To only speak of deforestation when we refer to the loss of the Amazon is what I call `` the great green lie '' , '' says climate scientist Antonio Donato Nobre .
But that is not the only problem .
Brazil and Bolivia were among the top five countries for loss of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a dramatic increase in wildfires last year .
Even before this year ’ s spike in deforestation , the rate across the nine Amazon countries had continued to rise .
The Brazilian authorities are deploying troops in the Amazon region to help protect the rainforest , tackle illegal deforestation and forest fires .
But critics say that the government ’ s rhetoric and policies could actually be encouraging loggers and illegal miners .
Last year , an unprecedented number of fires devastated huge swathes of forest in the Amazon .
Peak fire season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could coincide with the peak of the coronavirus crisis .
In April , as the number of cases rose and states started adopting isolation measures , deforestation actually increased 64 % compared with the same month in 2019 , according to preliminary satellite data from space research agency INPE .
But many of the field agents working to protect reserves have pulled out , Jonathan Mazower , of Survival International , says , allowing loggers and miners to target these areas .
As elsewhere , social distancing and travel restrictions have been imposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Since coronavirus spread to Brazil , in March , Amazonas has been the state to register Brazil 's highest infection rates - it also has one of the most underfunded health systems in the country .
The largest and most diverse tropical rainforest in the world is home to 33 million people and thousands of species of plants and animals .
Here , we look at the pressures pushing the Amazon to the brink and ask what the nine countries that share this unique natural resource are doing to protect it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and wildfires were already at an 11-year high and scientists say we 're fast approaching a point of no return - after which the Amazon will no longer function as it should .
Deforestation jumped 55 % in the first four months of 2020 compared with the same period last year , as people have taken advantage of the crisis to carry out illegal clearances .
The Amazon rainforest - which plays a vital role in balancing the world 's climate and helping fight global warming - is also suffering as a result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which started in Bolivia in May 2019 destroyed almost two million hectares of forest , according to the Friends of Nature monitoring NGO .
Half of that was in protected areas , known for their wide biodiversity .
Environmentalists say Evo Morales ' government has promoted deforestation with policies of selling land in the Amazon region to businessmen and distributing it to farmers .
The expansion of the farming frontier is mainly to encourage soya planting and cattle raising , in the hope of building exports for the Chinese market .
In August @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beef exports to China from Santa Cruz .
The same region was responsible for nearly half of Bolivia 's soya production in 2018 and was most affected by the fires last year .
In response to criticism during the fires crisis , Morales halted land sales in Santa Cruz for what he called `` an ecological pause '' .
We asked the Bolivian environment ministry about its strategy to reduce deforestation , but have had no response .
Brazil received international acclaim for the drop off in deforestation between 2004 and 2014 - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost 10 years .
But the loss of forest has once again started to rise .
In November 2019 , the government published data confirming expert predictions : that between the middle of 2018 and the middle of 2019 , deforestation in the Amazon had increased 30 % in relation to the previous year .
They had cleared around 980,000 hectares ( 9,800 sq km ) , the largest area of forest cut down since 2008 .
And these figures do n't take into account August 2019 , when Amazon fires were at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government claimed the fires were down to the dry season .
But investigations by IPAM and the Federal University of Acre found otherwise .
According to their report , the Amazon fires are directly related to deforestation .
`` After felling the trees , they leave it to dry for a few months then set fire to it to clear the vegetation .
The land is then used to plant grass and create pastures , '' says Erika Berenguer .
According to the FAO , 80 % of tree loss in Brazil is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Brazil is the largest beef exporter in the world .
It makes up 7 % of the country 's GDP and 4.6 % of exports .
Today , around 40 % of the country 's cattle is raised in Amazon states .
But that is only part of the story .
Around 60 million hectares of the Brazilian Amazon are considered public areas , or rather they have no legal purpose defined by the government .
They are not conservation areas , nor indigenous territories , for example .
People clear this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put cattle on them , it 's the cheapest way to occupy them , says Stabile .
A patch of land without trees is worth more on the market .
The next step in the chain is to illegally obtain a title deed for the land and sell it , says Mr Stabile .
They then find another patch of forest and start again .
The land is often sold to large-scale farmers and it is hard to tell which was cleared legally and what was n't .
The same happens in Colombia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Stabile and other investigators , Brazil could double or triple its number of cattle without felling another hectare of the Amazon rainforest .
`` What 's happening is land speculation , '' he says .
`` If the government defined these public areas , it would cease to be lucrative . ''
Environmentalists and investigators say statements and policies from Bolsonaro 's government are encouraging clearances and the persecution of indigenous people .
Although the government denies this , the president has said he wants to end the `` industry of environmental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too many conservation areas .
The government also wants to allow mining on land belonging to indigenous tribes .
Between January and September 2019 , attacks and invasions of indigenous people 's land increased 40 % on the previous year .
The finger of blame is pointed at those involved in land clearance , logging and mining .
However , as the coronavirus crisis took hold in May , around 4,000 troops were mobilised in the Amazon against illegal logging and other activities until June , although that could be extended into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Environment Minister Ricardo Salles said the coronavirus outbreak had `` aggravated '' the situation this year .
President Bolsonaro , however , has spoken against punitive measures taken against loggers and miners - such as the destruction of their equipment when it ca n't be taken out of the forest .
Critics say that sends a message that the government is on their side .
In 2017 , the level of deforestation in Colombia was one of the biggest in the Amazon region and the highest in the country 's history .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cleared , twice the previous year 's total .
This peak was a result of the peace accord with Farc rebels in 2016 , which left a power vacuum in forested areas .
Community leaders said Farc had acted as a type of environmental police , controlling when farmers were allowed to clear the forest or burn for agriculture or cattle farming .
`` Government officials would n't come near the Amazon region because of Farc , who , for their own protection , had an interest in keeping the trees standing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Rodrigo Botero , director of Foundation for Conservation and Sustainable Development .
However , Colombia is now facing a race to clear land in the Amazon led by large-scale farmers , local authorities , drug dealers and other paramilitary groups such as the ELN , says Botero .
There is a market for land and the government ca n't stop it , he says .
The Colombian government formed a National Council for the Fight against Deforestation in an attempt to tackle the issue .
The group works to identify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what action is needed , according to the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development .
Laws passed in 2018 made the protection of water , biodiversity and the environment priority issues in matters of national security .
The government can now intervene to protect areas in the Amazon national park from illegal activities .
They are also carrying out military operations against people clearing land and launching programmes which promote financial incentives for conservation .
But in 2018 , deforestation rates only fell by 4 % .
By 2018 , Colombian had lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - 14 % of which was in the last eight years .
In the north of Ecuador , palm oil production is the main threat to the Amazon , experts say .
The oil is used worldwide in the industrialised production of food such as chocolate , cosmetics , cleaning products and fuels .
Ecuador is the second biggest producer of palm oil in Latin America , and the sixth worldwide .
The expansion of palm oil and cocoa plantations in the last 10 years is the main driver of deforestation , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is particularly worrying because despite only covering about 2 % of the Amazon biome , Ecuador has one of the most diverse parts of the forest .
In just one hectare of the Yasuní park area , you 'll find 670 tree species - more than in the whole of North America .
Furthermore , according to a study by the country 's National Institute of Biodiversity , between 40 % and 60 % of the species of trees in Ecuador 's Amazon region are still unknown .
Mining projects and oil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ headline news in Ecuador .
One such project is Mirador , an open mine for copper , gold and silver which will be built in two Amazon provinces .
It is the biggest project of its type in Ecuador - but not the only one .
The government says industrial mining in the region , carried out by a Chinese company , will be responsible and the income generated will allow investment in infrastructure locally .
However , investigators believe the activity could bring with it serious problems to the Amazon .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't know exactly where they are going to put the dams nor how they are going to monitor them , '' said Carmen Josse , scientific director of the EcoScience Foundation .
We asked Ecuador 's government about their strategy to prevent mining contributing to deforestation - but they have not responded .
Around 75 % of it is virgin forest , which has had little or no intervention by humans , according to Global Forest Watch in 2016 .
Among the Amazon territories it has the largest percentage of forest in protected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lowest levels of deforestation .
However , representatives of native people and environmentalists are worried by the advance of legal and illegal mining , encroaching on the protected zones .
At the start of 2019 , French President Emmanuel Macron suspended a gold mining megaproject within the Guianan Amazon National Park , which he had initially approved at the start of his tenure .
The suspension was the result of national and international campaigns .
Despite this , illegal mining is the main threat to the park .
Security forces have detected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mines in the area since 2017 .
With a population of less than 300,000 people , French Guiana has between 8,000 and 10,000 illegal miners .
The rising price of gold since the 2008 financial crisis has sparked a rush to find the metal in the forests of the world .
`` Most of the time , they 're poor kids from Brazil looking for easy money .
They live in the forest for months and months , '' explained Captain Vianney , who is leading the Foreign Legion 's operations against gold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ French overseas territories about the government 's strategy to combat deforestation but they have not replied .
Ninety five per cent of Guyana is covered by the Amazon .
The country proposes two ways of treating the forest which , for many , seem irreconcilable .
On the one hand , it is looking for a way of exploiting it economically while at the same time selling itself as a Green State that protects the Amazon .
The annual rate of deforestation in Guyana is the lowest in the region - 0.051 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Part of its success is due to strategies such as the creation of a forest management commission , which decides which trees can or can not be cut down .
However , legal felling controlled by the government is still considered a factor that enables deforestation .
According to environmentalists , licences for large international logging companies create access to virgin forest which illegal miners take advantage of .
Guyana 's Forestry Commission says it has not opened any new areas of the forest for legal felling since 2015 .
In fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the companies who had licences to exploit them and they have become conservation areas , the government said .
Illegal mining - mainly gold - is to blame for 85 % of the forest loss , according to the Forestry Commission .
Gold is the country 's main export .
The government says it has a `` Green State development strategy '' for the country which includes more investment in ecotourism and renewable energy , stricter limits on CO2 emissions and increasing forest conservation .
All this is funded by international agreements to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ huge oil reserves at sea .
Small scale agriculture has traditionally been the main cause of deforestation in Peru .
Recently , however , cultivation of palm oil , cocoa and coca are catching up .
A 2018 study found that despite making up only 4 % of crops in the Amazon , palm oil was responsible for 11 % of deforestation between 2007 and 2013 .
The oil is used worldwide to produce food , cosmetics and fuel .
After some palm oil producers were fined for deforestation , they started to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already cleared the forest illegally , says Sandra Rios , geographical engineer with the Instituto de Bien Comun ( IBC Peru ) .
We have asked Peru 's environment minister about their strategy to prevent deforestation - but they have not responded .
Illegal gold mining poses an increasing risk to the Peruvian Amazon .
Peru is the biggest exporter of gold in Latin America , and the sixth worldwide .
However , experts say up to 25 % of its annual production comes from illegal mining .
Since 2006 , Peru has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Tambopata Nature Reserve , one of the most biodiverse in the region , driven by rising gold prices and the construction of the Brazil-Peru Transoceanic Highway .
The road , from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic , not only makes travelling easier , it also opens up previously inaccessible areas of the forest .
The group of miners in the area , known as the La Pampa , has grown to have more than 5,000 members .
The miners strip the vegetation from the Amazon soil to look for gold .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ metal from others , poisoning the waters and local animals in the process .
In 2017 , the loss of forest as a result of mining reached its highest level since 1985 , according to the Center for Amazonian Scientific Innovation ( Cincia ) .
Last March , the government declared a state of emergency for 60 days to carry out military operations against miners in la Pampa .
With almost 94 % of its territory within the Amazon , Suriname is one of the countries with the best track record of conservation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Suriname has recorded an increase in the loss of forest , mainly as a result of gold mining .
Between 2000 and 2014 , the extent of mining areas , generally on a small scale industrial or artisanal mines , increased by 893 % , according to the Foundation for Forest Management and Production Control .
The government foundation says mining is responsible for 73 % of the country 's deforestation .
Suriname is 10th in the world for gold production relative to its size .
And that 's without mentioning illegal mining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remote areas of the forest , far from the authorities .
It is believed that up to 60 % of the gold miners in Suriname are Brazilians who cross the border illegally .
In some of the larger areas belong to indigenous tribes or descendents of slaves , mining has become the main source of income for families .
There are no current official figures available for deforestation in Venezuela , but monitoring by local and international scientists show forest loss has increased in the last few years - especially since the creation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the dramatic fall in oil prices and production in Venezuela since 2014 , the Maduro government has focused its attention at states rich in minerals - such as the Amazon .
Venezuela has the sixth largest natural gold reserve in the world , with around 7,000 tonnes .
The mining arc , created in 2016 , allowed licences for mining precious metals such as gold , diamonds and coltan ( a combination of columbite and tantalite used in the production of mobile phones ) across an area of 112,000 sq km , about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area also covers natural landmarks , forest reserves , an Amazon national park and at least four designated indigenous territories .
`` The Orinoco zone is traditionally a mining area , even the indigenous people did it , '' says ecologist Peláez , from the NGO Provita .
`` But the law , in some ways , legalised forms of mining that were already in place and did not help reduce activity .
This has had an enormous impact on the environment and the local population . ''
Maduro 's plan was to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have to form businesses together with state-owned companies in order to operate in the area .
In practice , according to Mr Peláez , this resulted in an exponential growth in small-scale mining .
In 2018 alone , according to the Central Bank of Venezuela , the state bought 9.2 tonnes of gold on the internal market - the same as the total amount for 2011-2017 .
It 's having a devastating effect on the region .
`` The gold that is there is of very poor quality , it 's dirty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The amount that is coming out of the ground is very small . ''
Mining is producing tonnes of sediment that is accumulating in the country 's main rivers .
The use of mercury to separate gold from impurities , is poisoning rivers and indigenous people .
Venezuela has the most illegal mines in the Amazon , according to a study by Raisg .
There are 1,899 illegal mines , concentrated in the Orinoco mining arc .
In the midst of Venezuela 's political crisis , the National Assembly tried to repeal the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and even labelled it `` ecocide '' or a crime against the environment .
We 've asked three government ministries about the strategy to reduce deforestation in the zone , but none have responded .

So what is driving deforestation in each of the Amazon nations, how much primary forest have they lost and what are their governments doing?
"People have no idea what it would mean to lose this magnificent hydrological system."
Antonio Nobre says: "The ring made by central-southern Brazil and the River Plate basin would be a desert if it wasn't for the Amazon.
It affects the ecosystem of the whole region, including those who are not part of the Amazon itself, and beyond.
More than 33 million people live in the Amazon - about 8% of the population of South America - in towns, cities, riverside communities and indigenous villages. There are at least 100 tribes who have had little or no contact with outsiders.
Deforestation and its causes are a major source of friction between the governments of the nine Amazon nations, environmentalists, companies and indigenous groups: the desire for economic development clashes, in the main, with the preservation of the Amazon and its native peoples .
That doesn't seem an easy task in the near future.
"If we could restore 60,000 or 70,000 sq km in this large area, where the dry season is already much longer, we could help the forest get back to working better and it would be more resilient."
"First, we should adopt a zero deforestation policy in Panamazonas, immediately, together with a reforestation programme in the south, south-east and east of the Amazon, which are the most vulnerable areas."
According to Carlos Nobre, there is a way.
"Replacing the rainforest with another ecosystem, this increase could be even greater or could happen sooner."
"Even if the conditions we have at the moment stay the same, temperatures in the Amazon region could increase by 8C, taking into account deforestation and global warming by 2070.
And temperature increases could lead to more heat-related cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, says Beatriz Oliveira, from Brazil's Climate Change Investigations Network (Red-Clima).
The process of degradation could make the insects look for other sources of food and get closer to urban settlements.
Some studies link deforestation to an increase in illnesses transmitted by mosquitoes, such as malaria and leishmaniasis.
This could have a catastrophic impact on the local economy. Less rain and higher temperatures mean less water for animals or growing crops like soya.
But Brazilian climatologist Carlos Nobre, says temperatures in the region could increase by 1.5-3C in the areas which become degraded savannahs. And that is without taking into account possible increases already caused by global warming.
Scientists can't say exactly what a sudden transformation of the Amazon rainforest would mean.
This means it could be even closer than they think. But what could happen after the tipping point?
The projection, however, still does not take into account degradation because of the difficulty of measuring it across Panamazonas - the joint Amazon biome across the different national borders.
It would cause the length of the dry season and temperatures in the forest to increase. Trees would start to die and the tropical rainforest could become more like a dry savannah.
This will happen when total deforestation reaches between 20% and 25% - and that could happen in the next 20 or 30 years.
We could be dangerously close to what scientists call "the tipping point" - when the nature of the Amazon will completely change.
If deforestation and degradation continue at current levels, the Amazon could stop working as a tropical ecosystem, even if some of it is still standing.
Among the Amazon countries, only Brazil regularly publishes annual degradation figures. However, scientists from across the region are trying to produce the relevant data to form a wider picture of the current state of the forest.
"It is a difficult phenomenon to measure because although you can see degradation on satellite images, you need to have data from the ground to understand the real picture - whether that area is more or less degraded or is recovering," says Alexander Lees.
So why don't they talk about degradation when measuring forest loss in the Amazon?
A recent report by the Colombian government confirms that between 2012 and 2015, its own Amazon region lost 187,955 hectares of forest to deforestation and 414,605 hectares to degradation - more than double.
Dr Nobre says the degraded areas of the Amazon are nearly twice as big as the deforested areas.
If we take the deforestation and degradation together, more than 50% of the Amazon no longer performs environmental services for the region's climate, says Antonio Nobre.
Degradation also makes the forest less efficient. It loses, for example, the ability to generate some of its own rain.
And in seven of the nine Amazon countries, they say, degradation is the main source of their carbon dioxide emissions.
Scientists also warn that degradation is an important factor in releasing stored CO2. A new study by Raisg says 47% of all the emissions in the Amazon are as a result of degradation.
"Even though not all the vegetation is lost, the soil is drier and more fragile. This changes the microclimate of the forest and makes it easier for fires to spread because the soil heats up faster," explains Dr Alexander Lees, Senior Lecturer in tropical ecology at Manchester Metropolitan University in the UK.
This phenomenon is as much the result of climatic events - such as drought, as human action - such as burning or illegal logging which strip the forest of its vital functions. However, seen from above, it may seem that the forest is still standing.
Experts like Antonio Nobre believe that deforestation does not show the full picture of what is being lost and we should also take into account "degradation".
A recent study claimed that 20% of the Amazon is already emitting more CO2 that it absorbs.
For this reason, scientists fear that the Amazon will stop being a carbon store and will instead become a serious emitter of CO2, accelerating the effects of climate change.
One of the direct effects of deforestation is that it releases CO2 stored in the forest. Forest fires or the decomposition of felled trees both transform the carbon within the tree back into gas.
According to Dr Berenguer, a large tree (with at least three metres circumference) can contain between three and four tonnes of carbon. This is the same as about 10 to 12 tonnes of CO2, or what a family car emits over four years.
The older and larger the tree, the more carbon it stores.
A small part of the CO2 absorbed by trees during photosynthesis is released into the atmosphere during respiration. The rest is transformed into carbon which the trees use to produce the sugars needed for their metabolism.
Primary forest is home to trees that can be hundreds or even thousands of years old. They perform a powerful role in mitigating the effects of climate change, as they act as an enormous carbon dioxide store.
In the last 10 years, figures for primary forest loss have remained high or spiked in most of the Amazon nations.
"Each hectare deforested means part of the ecosystem ceases to function and this affects the rest," says Oxford University rainforest expert Erika Berenguer.
This may seem insignificant - only 0.32% of the forest in the whole Amazon biome - but it is also a question of quality.
A football pitch is frequently used as a reference because, according to Fifa, the maximum size of a pitch is 1.08 hectares. However, some countries use smaller dimensions, which is why deforestation calculations can vary so much.
Half of this was primary forest - 1.7 million hectares of forest that was still in its original state and rich in biodiversity. Its destruction was the same as three football pitches of virgin forest being destroyed every minute in 2019.
In 2019 alone, the tree cover loss in the Amazon reached 2.4 million hectares (24,000 sq km), according to Global Forest Watch.
The most common way of measuring deforestation is "tree cover loss" - where forest vegetation has been completely erased.
Scientists say that if we don't reverse current levels of deforestation and degradation, the consequences of climate change could accelerate.
Even if an area does not lose all its trees and vegetation, degradation strips the rainforest of properties that are vital to the planet.
This happens when a combination of pressures on a stretch of forest - such as fires, logging or unlicensed hunting - make it hard for the ecosystem to function properly.
To get a more complete sense of the scale of the destruction, Dr Nobre says it is necessary to take into account the figures for degradation.
"The destruction of the Amazon rainforest up till now is much bigger than the almost 20% that they talk of in the media."
"To only speak of deforestation when we refer to the loss of the Amazon is what I call "the great green lie"," says climate scientist Antonio Donato Nobre.
But that is not the only problem.
Brazil, Bolivia and Peru were among the top five countries for loss of primary forest in 2019, with Bolivia experiencing a record-breaking loss of tree cover because of wildfires.
Even before this year’s spike in deforestation, the rate across the nine Amazon countries had continued to rise.
The Brazilian authorities are deploying troops in the Amazon region to help protect the rainforest, tackle illegal deforestation and forest fires. But critics say that the government’s rhetoric and policies could actually be encouraging loggers and illegal miners.
Last year, an unprecedented number of fires devastated huge swathes of forest in the Amazon. Peak fire season is from July which some experts worry could coincide with the peak of the coronavirus crisis.
In April, as the number of cases rose and states started adopting isolation measures, deforestation actually increased 64% compared with the same month in 2019, according to preliminary satellite data from space research agency INPE.
But many of the field agents working to protect reserves have pulled out, Jonathan Mazower, of Survival International, says, allowing loggers and miners to target these areas.
As elsewhere, social distancing and travel restrictions have been imposed to limit the spread of the virus.
Since coronavirus spread to Brazil, in March, Amazonas has been the state to register Brazil's highest infection rates - it also has one of the most underfunded health systems in the country.
The largest and most diverse tropical rainforest in the world is home to 33 million people and thousands of species of plants and animals.
Here, we look at the pressures pushing the Amazon to the brink and ask what the nine countries that share this unique natural resource are doing to protect it.
Logging, illegal mining, land clearances and wildfires were already at an 11-year high and scientists say we're fast approaching a point of no return - after which the Amazon will no longer function as it should.
Deforestation jumped 55% in the first four months of 2020 compared with the same period last year, as people have taken advantage of the crisis to carry out illegal clearances.
The Amazon rainforest - which plays a vital role in balancing the world's climate and helping fight global warming - is also suffering as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
What is the greatest threat in each country? Select a country to see the situation in its part of the Amazon Bolivia
Brazil
Colombia
Ecuador
French Guiana
Guyana
Peru
Suriname
Venezuela
Bolivia Amazon area: 48 million hectares Primary forest lost: 8%
Source reuters
The fires which started in Bolivia in May 2019 destroyed almost two million hectares of forest, according to the Friends of Nature monitoring NGO.
Half of that was in protected areas, known for their wide biodiversity.
Environmentalists say Evo Morales' government has promoted deforestation with policies of selling land in the Amazon region to businessmen and distributing it to farmers.
Loss of primary forest in Bolivia, 2002-19
Loss of primary forest in bolivia, 2002-19 year 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 hectares 46130 52313 56086 93893 69906 73075 90479 65473 169272 103733 88466 45314 88129 38848 122277 102906 57883 90531 Source: Global Forest Watch
The expansion of the farming frontier is mainly to encourage soya planting and cattle raising, in the hope of building exports for the Chinese market. In August 2019, Mr Morales celebrated the first beef exports to China from Santa Cruz.
The same region was responsible for nearly half of Bolivia's soya production in 2018 and was most affected by the fires last year.
In response to criticism during the fires crisis, Morales halted land sales in Santa Cruz for what he called "an ecological pause".
We asked the Bolivian environment ministry about its strategy to reduce deforestation, but have had no response.
2008: La Chiquitanía, in eastern Bolivia, is one of the main areas for cattle ranching and soya production in the country
2010: While Evo Morales was in power, farmers and businesses received incentives to expand areas of production in the region
2014: Controlled fires are a common practice in the deforestation process
2016: A year after Evo Morales' government quadrupled the area that small producers could clear, there is a rise in deforestation in the zone
2018: Bolivia was one of the top five countries worldwide for primary forest loss, according to Global Forest Watch. In 2019, fires destroyed more than two million hectares of the Amazon
What is the greatest threat in each country? Select a country to see the situation in its part of the Amazon Bolivia
Brazil
Colombia
Ecuador
French Guiana
Guyana
Peru
Suriname
Venezuela
Brazil Amazon area: 421.3 million hectares Primary forest lost: 18%
Brazil received international acclaim for the drop off in deforestation between 2004 and 2014 - an accumulated fall of 80% in almost 10 years.
But the loss of forest has once again started to rise.
Loss of primary forest in Brazil, 2002-19
Loss of primary forest in brazil, 2002-19 year 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 hectares 1497092 1396414 1854977 1716304 1337658 1063041 1004269 657409 1080839 739458 1035878 579279 874127 777059 2717808 1963295 1280391 1294540 Source: Global Forest Watch
In November 2019, the government published data confirming expert predictions: that between the middle of 2018 and the middle of 2019, deforestation in the Amazon had increased 30% in relation to the previous year.
They had cleared around 980,000 hectares (9,800 sq km), the largest area of forest cut down since 2008.
And these figures don't take into account August 2019, when Amazon fires were at their worst.
President Jair Bolsonaro's government claimed the fires were down to the dry season. But investigations by IPAM and the Federal University of Acre found otherwise.
According to their report, the Amazon fires are directly related to deforestation.
"After felling the trees, they leave it to dry for a few months then set fire to it to clear the vegetation. The land is then used to plant grass and create pastures," says Erika Berenguer.
Source Alexander Lees/RAS
According to the FAO, 80% of tree loss in Brazil is directly or indirectly related to cattle farming. Brazil is the largest beef exporter in the world. It makes up 7% of the country's GDP and 4.6% of exports.
Today, around 40% of the country's cattle is raised in Amazon states. But that is only part of the story.
Around 60 million hectares of the Brazilian Amazon are considered public areas, or rather they have no legal purpose defined by the government.
They are not conservation areas, nor indigenous territories, for example. People clear this land, cut the trees down and put cattle on them, it's the cheapest way to occupy them, says Stabile.
A patch of land without trees is worth more on the market.
The primary use of deforested land in Brazil is cattle. But the aim is not necessarily to earn money from meat production but from the sale of land Marcelo Stabile, of IPAM, the Amazon Environmental Research Institute
The next step in the chain is to illegally obtain a title deed for the land and sell it, says Mr Stabile. They then find another patch of forest and start again. The land is often sold to large-scale farmers and it is hard to tell which was cleared legally and what wasn't.
The same happens in Colombia, Peru and Ecuador.
According to Mr Stabile and other investigators, Brazil could double or triple its number of cattle without felling another hectare of the Amazon rainforest.
"What's happening is land speculation," he says. "If the government defined these public areas, it would cease to be lucrative."
Environmentalists and investigators say statements and policies from Bolsonaro's government are encouraging clearances and the persecution of indigenous people.
Although the government denies this, the president has said he wants to end the "industry of environmental taxes" and believes the country has too many conservation areas. The government also wants to allow mining on land belonging to indigenous tribes.
Between January and September 2019, attacks and invasions of indigenous people's land increased 40% on the previous year. The finger of blame is pointed at those involved in land clearance, logging and mining.
However, as the coronavirus crisis took hold in May, around 4,000 troops were mobilised in the Amazon against illegal logging and other activities until June, although that could be extended into the dry season to help with fire prevention.
Environment Minister Ricardo Salles said the coronavirus outbreak had "aggravated" the situation this year.
President Bolsonaro, however, has spoken against punitive measures taken against loggers and miners - such as the destruction of their equipment when it can't be taken out of the forest. Critics say that sends a message that the government is on their side.
What is the greatest threat in each country? Select a country to see the situation in its part of the Amazon Bolivia
Brazil
Colombia
Ecuador
French Guiana
Guyana
Peru
Suriname
Venezuela
Colombia Amazon area: 48.5 million hectares Primary forest lost: 11.7%
In 2017, the level of deforestation in Colombia was one of the biggest in the Amazon region and the highest in the country's history. More than 140,000 hectares of forest was cleared, twice the previous year's total.
This peak was a result of the peace accord with Farc rebels in 2016, which left a power vacuum in forested areas.
Loss of primary forest in Colombia, 2002-19
Loss of primary forest in colombia, 2002-19 year 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 hectares 47801 20116 57147 42836 36571 75630 65279 43907 45723 56573 48209 47922 63713 36613 71671 122771 153835 91369 Source: Global Forest Watch
Community leaders said Farc had acted as a type of environmental police, controlling when farmers were allowed to clear the forest or burn for agriculture or cattle farming.
"Government officials wouldn't come near the Amazon region because of Farc, who, for their own protection, had an interest in keeping the trees standing. So the rebels could establish strict rules," said Rodrigo Botero, director of Foundation for Conservation and Sustainable Development.
However, Colombia is now facing a race to clear land in the Amazon led by large-scale farmers, local authorities, drug dealers and other paramilitary groups such as the ELN, says Botero.
There is a market for land and the government can't stop it, he says.
Source Alamy
The Colombian government formed a National Council for the Fight against Deforestation in an attempt to tackle the issue.
The group works to identify pockets of deforestation, the causes and what action is needed, according to the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development.
Laws passed in 2018 made the protection of water, biodiversity and the environment priority issues in matters of national security. The government can now intervene to protect areas in the Amazon national park from illegal activities.
They are also carrying out military operations against people clearing land and launching programmes which promote financial incentives for conservation.
By 2018, Colombian had lost around 11.7% of its original forest - 14% of which was in the previous eight years. But there are signs the efforts are paying off. In 2019, there was a significant fall in the loss of primary forest - although the level of deforestation was still higher than any year on record before the peace agreement.
What is the greatest threat in each country? Select a country to see the situation in its part of the Amazon Bolivia
Brazil
Colombia
Ecuador
French Guiana
Guyana
Peru
Suriname
Venezuela
Ecuador Amazon area: 10.3 million hectares Primary forest lost: 10%
In the north of Ecuador, palm oil production is the main threat to the Amazon, experts say.
The oil is used worldwide in the industrialised production of food such as chocolate, cosmetics, cleaning products and fuels.
Ecuador is the second biggest producer of palm oil in Latin America, and the sixth worldwide.
The expansion of palm oil and cocoa plantations in the last 10 years is the main driver of deforestation, according to Global Forest Watch and Maap.
Loss of primary forest in Ecuador, 2002-19
Loss of primary forest in ecuador, 2002-19 year 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 hectares 4723 3022 3967 4657 4680 5322 7054 6001 7198 9363 10599 10770 5034 7616 11944 18775 12345 11359 Source: Global Forest Watch
This is particularly worrying because despite only covering about 2% of the Amazon biome, Ecuador has one of the most diverse parts of the forest. In just one hectare of the Yasuní park area, you'll find 670 tree species - more than in the whole of North America.
Furthermore, according to a study by the country's National Institute of Biodiversity, between 40% and 60% of the species of trees in Ecuador's Amazon region are still unknown.
Source Getty
Mining boom
Mining projects and oil exploration in the Amazon have also made headline news in Ecuador.
One such project is Mirador, an open mine for copper, gold and silver which will be built in two Amazon provinces. It is the biggest project of its type in Ecuador - but not the only one.
The government says industrial mining in the region, carried out by a Chinese company, will be responsible and the income generated will allow investment in infrastructure locally.
However, investigators believe the activity could bring with it serious problems to the Amazon.
"As well as deforestation, we don't know exactly where they are going to put the dams nor how they are going to monitor them," said Carmen Josse, scientific director of the EcoCiencia Foundation.
They are rugged areas with a lot of biodiversity. We don't want an accident like Brumadinho, in Brazil Carmen Josse, EcoCiencia Foundation
We asked Ecuador's government about their strategy to prevent mining contributing to deforestation - but they have not responded.
What is the greatest threat in each country? Select a country to see the situation in its part of the Amazon Bolivia
Brazil
Colombia
Ecuador
French Guiana
Guyana
Peru
Suriname
Venezuela
French Guiana Amazon area: 8 million hectares Primary forest lost: 3%
French Guiana soldiers search for illegal miners
Around 75% of it is virgin forest, which has had little or no intervention by humans, according to Global Forest Watch in 2016.
Among the Amazon territories it has the largest percentage of forest in protected areas - almost 50% - and the lowest levels of deforestation.
However, representatives of native people and environmentalists are worried by the advance of legal and illegal mining, encroaching on the protected zones.
Loss of primary forest in French Guiana, 2002-19
Loss of primary forest in french-guiana, 2002-19 year 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 hectares 1628 1267 3268 2024 1944 2420 3713 2088 2417 2141 7405 1948 2788 1946 3921 2739 2613 2271 Source: Global Forest Watch
At the start of 2019, French President Emmanuel Macron suspended a gold mining megaproject within the Guianan Amazon National Park, which he had initially approved at the start of his tenure. The suspension was the result of national and international campaigns.
Despite this, illegal mining is the main threat to the park. Security forces have detected an increase in the number of illegal mines in the area since 2017.
With a population of less than 300,000 people, French Guiana has between 8,000 and 10,000 illegal miners. The rising price of gold since the 2008 financial crisis has sparked a rush to find the metal in the forests of the world.
Source Getty Caption:
"Most of the time, they're poor kids from Brazil looking for easy money. They live in the forest for months and months," explained Captain Vianney, who is leading the Foreign Legion's operations against gold mining.
We asked the ministry of French overseas territories about the government's strategy to combat deforestation but they have not replied.
What is the greatest threat in each country? Select a country to see the situation in its part of the Amazon Bolivia
Brazil
Colombia
Ecuador
French Guiana
Guyana
Peru
Suriname
Venezuela
Guyana Amazon area: 21.1 million hectares Primary forest lost:1%
Ninety five per cent of Guyana is covered by the Amazon.
The country proposes two ways of treating the forest which, for many, seem irreconcilable. On the one hand, it is looking for a way of exploiting it economically while at the same time selling itself as a Green State that protects the Amazon.
The annual rate of deforestation in Guyana is the lowest in the region - 0.051% in 2018, according to government figures.
Loss of primary forest in Guyana, 2002-19
Loss of primary forest in guyana, 2002-19 year 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 hectares 2802 4199 2612 3554 3722 3318 6350 4896 6619 5804 8927 4503 7764 8439 16653 13362 7549 12787 Source: Global Forest Watch
Part of its success is due to strategies such as the creation of a forest management commission, which decides which trees can or cannot be cut down.
However, legal felling controlled by the government is still considered a factor that enables deforestation. According to environmentalists, licences for large international logging companies create access to virgin forest which illegal miners take advantage of.
Guyana's Forestry Commission says it has not opened any new areas of the forest for legal felling since 2015.
In fact, some areas were taken back off the companies who had licences to exploit them and they have become conservation areas, the government said.
Illegal mining - mainly gold - is to blame for 85% of the forest loss, according to the Forestry Commission. Gold is the country's main export.
Source Alamy
The government says it has a "Green State development strategy" for the country which includes more investment in ecotourism and renewable energy, stricter limits on CO2 emissions and increasing forest conservation.
All this is funded by international agreements to preserve the Amazon and the discovery of huge oil reserves at sea.
What is the greatest threat in each country? Select a country to see the situation in its part of the Amazon Bolivia
Brazil
Colombia
Ecuador
French Guiana
Guyana
Peru
Suriname
Venezuela
Peru Amazon area: 78.9 million hectares Primary forest lost: 8%
Small scale agriculture has traditionally been the main cause of deforestation in Peru. Recently, however, cultivation of palm oil, cocoa and coca are catching up.
A 2018 study found that despite making up only 4% of crops in the Amazon, palm oil was responsible for 11% of deforestation between 2007 and 2013. The oil is used worldwide to produce food, cosmetics and fuel.
After some palm oil producers were fined for deforestation, they started to buy land from small farmers who had already cleared the forest illegally, says Sandra Rios, geographical engineer with the Instituto de Bien Comun (IBC Peru).
The State is slow in creating ways of monitoring, controlling and punishing deforestation by these and other means Sandra Ríos, IBC Peru
We have asked Peru's environment minister about their strategy to prevent deforestation - but they have not responded.
Illegal gold mining poses an increasing risk to the Peruvian Amazon. Peru is the biggest exporter of gold in Latin America, and the sixth worldwide. However, experts say up to 25% of its annual production comes from illegal mining.
Since 2006, Peru has been experiencing a new gold rush in the Tambopata Nature Reserve, one of the most biodiverse in the region, driven by rising gold prices and the construction of the Brazil-Peru Transoceanic Highway.
Loss of primary forest in Peru, 2002-19
Loss of primary forest in peru, 2002-19 year 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 hectares 45814 43622 61903 97220 58529 77830 88568 120049 100856 88782 176931 142699 132921 104726 142541 180299 140042 161468 Source: Global Forest Watch
The road, from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic, not only makes travelling easier, it also opens up previously inaccessible areas of the forest. The group of miners in the area, known as the La Pampa, has grown to have more than 5,000 members.
The miners strip the vegetation from the Amazon soil to look for gold. They use mercury to separate the precious metal from others, poisoning the waters and local animals in the process.
In 2017, the loss of forest as a result of mining reached its highest level since 1985, according to the Center for Amazonian Scientific Innovation (Cincia).
2007: Start of the Transoceanic Highway between Brazil and Peru beside the Tambopata Nature Reserve, of the the most diverse areas in the Amazon
2010: When the road building finishes, the La Pampa enclave of illegal mining is set up
2013: The road, according to scientists, gave access to more parts of the forest and increased deforestation to make way for mining in the area
2016: A report by the Amazon Andes Monitoring Project says 350 hectares have been deforested as a result of illegal mining in the Tambopata reserve
2018: At its peak, La Pampa had more than 5,000 active miners. In 2019, a military operation targeted the mining camp
In March 2019, the government declared a state of emergency for 60 days to carry out military operations against miners in la Pampa.
What is the greatest threat in each country? Select a country to see the situation in its part of the Amazon Bolivia
Brazil
Colombia
Ecuador
French Guiana
Guyana
Peru
Suriname
Venezuela
Suriname Amazon area: 14.7 million hectares Primary forest lost: 4%
With almost 94% of its territory within the Amazon, Suriname is one of the countries with the best track record of conservation in biome.
However, since 2012 Suriname has recorded an increase in the loss of forest, mainly as a result of gold mining.
Source Alamy
Between 2000 and 2014, the extent of mining areas, generally on a small scale industrial or artisanal mines, increased by 893%, according to the Foundation for Forest Management and Production Control.
The government foundation says mining is responsible for 73% of the country's deforestation.
Suriname is 10th in the world for gold production relative to its size. And that's without mentioning illegal mining.
Loss of primary forest in Suriname, 2002-19
Loss of primary forest in suriname, 2002-19 year 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 hectares 1916 2218 2703 1763 1860 2091 4367 4217 4794 4103 13377 6624 9638 8060 10425 13706 15363 13995 Source: Global Forest Watch
Most illegal mining takes place in remote areas of the forest, far from the authorities. It is believed that up to 60% of the gold miners in Suriname are Brazilians who cross the border illegally.
In some of the larger areas belong to indigenous tribes or descendents of slaves, mining has become the main source of income for families.
What is the greatest threat in each country? Select a country to see the situation in its part of the Amazon Bolivia
Brazil
Colombia
Ecuador
French Guiana
Guyana
Peru
Suriname
Venezuela
Venezuela Amazon area: 47 million hectares Primary forest lost: 4%
There are no current official figures available for deforestation in Venezuela, but monitoring by local and international scientists show forest loss has increased in the last few years - especially since the creation of the Orinoco Mining Arc.
With the dramatic fall in oil prices and production in Venezuela since 2014, the Maduro government has focused its attention at states rich in minerals - such as the Amazon.
Venezuela has the sixth largest natural gold reserve in the world, with around 7,000 tonnes.
The mining arc, created in 2016, allowed licences for mining precious metals such as gold, diamonds and coltan (a combination of columbite and tantalite used in the production of mobile phones) across an area of 112,000 sq km, about 12% of the country.
The area also covers natural landmarks, forest reserves, an Amazon national park and at least four designated indigenous territories.
"The Orinoco zone is traditionally a mining area, even the indigenous people did it," says ecologist Peláez, from the NGO Provita.
"But the law, in some ways, legalised forms of mining that were already in place and did not help reduce activity. This has had an enormous impact on the environment and the local population."
Maduro's plan was to grant concessions to foreign mining companies which would have to form businesses together with state-owned companies in order to operate in the area.
In practice, according to Mr Peláez, this resulted in an exponential growth in small-scale mining.
In 2018 alone, according to the Central Bank of Venezuela, the state bought 9.2 tonnes of gold on the internal market - the same as the total amount for 2011-2017.
Loss of primary forest in Venezuela, 2002-19
Loss of primary forest in venezuela, 2002-19 year 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 hectares 7400 16309 9882 8515 10332 18307 12820 17304 20090 12136 17090 12684 17193 13024 64016 25215 22547 52897 Source: Global Forest Watch
It's having a devastating effect on the region.
"The gold that is there is of very poor quality, it's dirty," says Mr Peláez. "The amount that is coming out of the ground is very small."
People are destroying the forest and digging wherever they can. They're leaving sterile sand where nothing can grow. The deforestation in this zone is irreversible Carlos Peláez, Provita
Mining is producing tonnes of sediment that is accumulating in the country's main rivers. The use of mercury to separate gold from impurities, is poisoning rivers and indigenous people.
Venezuela has the most illegal mines in the Amazon, according to a study by Raisg. There are 1,899 illegal mines, concentrated in the Orinoco mining arc.
In the midst of Venezuela's political crisis, the National Assembly tried to repeal the law that created the Orinoco Mining Arc and even labelled it "ecocide" or a crime against the environment.
We've asked three government ministries about the strategy to reduce deforestation in the zone, but none have responded.