This study uses a coupled ocean-atmosphere model to assess the impact of Amazon Basin savannization on the wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) heat stress index under two climate change scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5). It finds that deforestation's effect on heat stress is comparable to RCP8.5 climate change. By 2100, combined effects could exceed human adaptation limits, with over 11 million people exposed to extreme heat stress risk under a high-emission scenario (RCP8.5). Northern Brazil and socially vulnerable populations face the highest risk.

Beatriz Fátima Alves de Oliveira, Marcus J. Bottino, Paulo Nobre, Carlos A. Nobre