- News reports show that the Amazon rainforest in Brazil has been burning for three weeks.
- You can see the fires from space.
- The fires are so bad that a city in Brazil 1,700 miles away is experiencing blackouts from the smoke. Learn what you can do to help.
The Amazon rainforest in Brazil is burning. It is currently burning at the highest rate since fires in 2013. Brazil’s president Jair Bolsonaro has finally spoken out about the fires and claims that certain groups are burning it down on purpose. There is currently no evidence of his claim. However, new images from space show how bad the fires are.
São Paulo, Brazil is located over 1,700 miles away from the fires but is currently experiencing blackouts as well. Meteorologists believe the blackout was caused by smoke from the fires, almost two thousand miles away. Many people are disappointed with the lack of media coverage, especially compared to other events like the fire at the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, France.
Brazil’s rainforest has been on fire for three weeks
Scientists often refer to the Amazon rainforest as the lungs of the world. The fires have been blazing for three weeks. Currently, Brazil is experiencing its dry season. Fires often start during this time, but the current fires are worse than normal. Some believe that some of the fires are being started to illegally deforest land for cattle ranching.
However, Brazil’s president believes that non-government organizations are burning down the rainforest to shame him for cutting funding. The funding that he cut makes it easier for people to exploit the rainforest and funding for environmental agencies has gone down as well. There is no evidence of his claim.
Here’s what you can do to help
The fires are devastating to Brazil and the world. Satellite data shows an 84% increase in 2019 wildfires, compared to last year, according to Marie Clarie. There has also been an 88% increase in deforestation which is devasting to the environment.
According to Marie Claire, here are some things you can do to help:
- “Protect an acre of rainforest through the Rainforest Action Network.
- Focus on the animals of the rainforest specifically by donating or volunteering with the WWF.
- Sign a petition to encourage governmental action, if that’s your thing. Here’s a Greenpeace one.
- Fast Company reports that reducing your beef consumption can also help because rainforest beef reportedly goes into fast-food hamburgers and processed beef products.
- Head to Amazon Watch, which supports and protects indigenous peoples in the Amazon Basin and helps preserve the ecosystem.”