There has been a global and collective outrage following days of fires in the Amazon rain-forest, posing a threat to the world’s climate.
The Amazon is the largest rainforest in the world. It is a vital carbon store helping to slow down the pace of global warming.
For many around the world the forest is a symbol of a significant source of breathing air for mankind.
Considered the the “lungs of the world” the Amazon is also home to about three million species of plants and animals, and one million indigenous people.
There have been protests over the fires and the implications for mankind. Those outrages have led to a global support and mobilization to save the forest.
Just spoke with President @JairBolsonaro of Brazil. Our future Trade prospects are very exciting and our relationship is strong, perhaps stronger than ever before. I told him if the United States can help with the Amazon Rainforest fires, we stand ready to assist!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 23, 2019
The fires ravaging the Amazon rainforest are not only heartbreaking, they are an international crisis. We stand ready to provide whatever help we can to bring them under control and help protect one of Earth’s greatest wonders.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) August 23, 2019
Deliberate fires
But local media in Brazil reports that many of the fires are believed to have been started deliberately.
Some farmers likely to benefit by having more available land are said to have sparked the fire.
Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro has in the past made comments that seem to suggest he wants the forest cleared for agriculture and mining activities.
Climate experts and campaigners accuse his administration of giving a green light to rainforest destruction.
The thing that hurts me the most is the animals that scattered, burned and died in the Amazon rainforest fires. How many animals died and how many plants are destroyed? #PrayforAmazonas #AmazonFires pic.twitter.com/tXGuGy3v5R
— Bana ➳ (@banakhateb) August 24, 2019
Thank God it’s raining in Amazon rainforest .. Luckily rain came to rescue THE LUNG OF OUR EARTH #AmazonFire pic.twitter.com/MfmMBf5kdU
— Dr. Joe ? (@YousefAlsweisi) August 24, 2019
In case you think this doesn’t affect you, the Amazon produces more than 20% of the world’s oxygen supply and holds 1/5 of the Earth’s fresh water. If we let it burn we will destroy our biggest carbon store & release planet warming greenhouse gases. #AmazonFire #AmazonRainForest pic.twitter.com/Cd6TqLHjqO
— Z I R G H A M (@YaraBatSun) August 24, 2019
Protests over fires
Protests have been held in cities across Brazil to demand action to combat the fires. Protesters gathered outside the Brazilian embassies around the world.
There are consideration from some countries to target Brazil’s economy if the government doesn’t do much to stop the fires.
Protesters hit the streets as #Amazon rainforest fires rage https://t.co/vvfb2lEZob pic.twitter.com/tisH11Opbz
— CGTN (@CGTNOfficial) August 24, 2019
But in a televised address on Friday, Mr Bolsonaro said forest fires “exist in the whole world” and “cannot serve as a pretext for possible international sanctions”.
He has now ordered the armed forces to fight the record forest fires in the Amazon.
The Amazon’s record-breaking forest fires are endangering the region’s Indigenous communities and millions of plant and animal species — here’s how you can take action pic.twitter.com/EL2b9fGO4g
— NowThis (@nowthisnews) August 24, 2019
What the world can now do is pray that “its lungs” are saved sooner than later.
Source: Africafeeds.com
