The Amazon Rainforest holds 10% of the world’s biodiversity, produces 20% of our oxygen (the rest comes from the oceans) and without it, we stand zero chance of preventing further catastrophic climate change as it’s a huge carbon sink.
And it’s been on fire for the last 16 days but no one is talking about it. Unlike many forests, the Amazon doesn’t use fire as a way to clear out deadwood or ‘refresh’ like so many other forests do - fires are not beneficial. These fires are the result of people clearing land for the cattle and other farming activities. This season there has been 80% more fires than this time last year.
This is a complex issue, but right now we need to support those working to put out and prevent further fires such as @rainforestalliance, @rainforestactionnetwork, @rainforesttrust, and @wwf. They work to protect the Amazon by buying acres of land, educating locals and farmers and providing alternative forms of income, working with politicians to create greater protections and building worldwide awareness to the Amazon’s incredible value and problems that face it. This is the best way to help prevent a very real catastrophe in the making.
#amazonforest #rainforest