Over the last few days, the fires in the Amazon rainforest, also known as the Lungs Of The Planet, have captured massive media attention. While most are in agreement that the Amazon fires are alarming, there are many differing opinions on who or what initiated them.
Source: Financial Times
Brazil’s president, Jair Bolsonaro, believes that non-governmental organizations purposefully set the fires in response to the government cutting their funding. In contrast, Brazilian activists are blaming Bolsonaro for encouraging farmers to clear the land for agriculture and meat.
Although the fires were not sparked by climate change, the devastation is only bad news for the planet. The severity of the fires have reached a critical point, and the damage will be irreversible. The Amazon rainforest is home to a diverse group of animals and nature. Losing the rainforest means losing the biodiversity of the region. It also means huge amounts of carbon will be released into the atmosphere, which will fuel climate change. As the rainforest continues to burn, the world becomes drastically affected.
Source: Los Angeles Times
If you are looking to help, you can start by reducing the amount of meat you consume. The land was cleared to supply the growing demand for meat, and deforestation can often be connected to beef. You can donate to numerous organizations including Rainforest Action Network and Rainforest Trust. You can contact your elected officials by texting RESIST to 50409 to voice your concerns. Complacency is no longer an option, the planet needs our immediate attention.