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Amazon Rainforest Fire: Everything we know and how can we help
Homes of aboriginal tribes slaughtered as fires continue to rage.
Its been almost a month since amazon rainforest is burning, and Brazil has already declared a state of emergency in the region. The fire has already destroyed homes of native tribes and is threatening millions of animal species to be endangered. The number of fires this year in Brazil is on record the highest since 2013. This year the fire is already more than 85% from the last year. Eighty thousand fires have been detected in the country so far this year by Brazil’s space research center, INPE.
The current situation of the fire is so worse that the smoke is visible from the space. An astronaut of European Space Agency, “Luca Parminto” captured the image of smoke from the International Space Station. He added, “the smoke is so widespread, it resembled clouds in some pictures.”
Attention to the fires grew worldwide in mid-August when some social media activists trended some of the hashtags regarding the fire. People across the world went on to the streets in protests, demanding quick actions to stop the fire. As a result, political leaders began to speak on the situation and develop a plan to help. In the recent G7 summit, the international leaders agreed to provide logistic and financial support to help fight fires. They also mutualy decided to raise $22m funds in support.
What Caused the Fire?
While Amazon is typically wet and humid Rainforest, July and August are the driest months of the region. But according to the experts, deforestation and a practice called slash-and-burn are most probably the main reason. These are the processes of agricultural practice. People cut down small patches of forest and allow the area to dry out, then set the remain aflame. This makes room for further agriculture. The Brazilian Environmental Minister Ricardo Salles tweeted that the fire was caused by wind, heat and dry weather. But CNN meteorologist Haley Brink called the fire, “definitely human-induced.”
Why is burning amazon dangerous for us?
Every one of us on this planet need good health of amazon rain forest. Amazon rainforest is also called “the lungs of the earth” because it produce 20% of the world’s oxygen. The forest fire and climate change also work in a vicious cycle. As the fire increases the emission of greenhouse gases, thus making the overall planet’s temperature rise. According to scientists, the increase in temperature leads to the occurrence of extreme weather conditions like major droughts, uneven rainfall, floods, etc.
How can we help?
Here are some ways we can assist in protecting the Rainforest:
Protect an acre of land
The Rainforest Action Network has been working since 1993 to preserve the Amazon Rainforest one acre at a time. The organization’s “Protect an Acre” facility have supported than 200 front-line communities and Indigenous organizations. This helps local activists fight against pulp, paper mills, and other extractive industries.
Buy Some Land
Rainforest trusts work with communities to buy land so that they can protect it from mining, slash and burn agribusiness and loggings. We can support their work by purchasing some property and helping them.
Reduce your wood/paper consumption
Reducing the amount of paper and wood we use is an excellent way to help decrease commercial pressures on the Amazon, as well as other forests.
Get more political
Write or call your representatives. Tell them that they need to use their position to put pressure on your own and other governments to take action to help amazon fire.
Other Possible actions:
- Raise funds and donate to “Amazon Watch,” an organization that works to protect the Rainforest, defends fundamental rights, and works to aware people about climate change.
- Donate to the Amazon Conservation Team, which works to fight climate change, protect the Amazon, and empower Indigenous peoples.
- Amazon Conservation accepts donations and lists precisely where your money goes. You can help plant trees, sponsor education, protect habitats, buy solar panels, preserve Indigenous lands, and more.
We hope that the amazon fire settles down fast. Litewriber provides the latest news & updates of all over the world.
