Bad men, bad policy, rainforest half the size of Brazil is on fire…

The fires, most of which have been set by farmers clearing their land, are raging in uninhabited areas of rain forest and intruding on populated areas in the country’s north. Read the full article in The New York Times

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The lungs of the Earth are in flames. The Brazilian Amazon—home to 1 million Indigenous people and 3 million species—has been burning for more than two weeks straight. There have been 74,000 fires in the Brazilian Amazon since the beginning of this year—a staggering 84% increase over the same period last year (National Institute for Space Research, Brazil). Scientists and conservationists attribute the accelerating deforestation to President Jair Bolsonaro, who encouraged loggers and farmers to clear the land after taking office in January.⁣

⁣The largest rainforest in the world is a critical piece of the global climate solution. Without the Amazon, we cannot keep the Earth’s warming in check. ⁣

The Amazon needs more than our “thoughts and prayers.” So what can YOU do?⁣

✔ As an emergency response, donate to frontline Amazon groups working to defend the forest. ⁣

✔ Consider becoming a regular supporter of the Rainforest Alliance’s community forestry initiatives across the world’s most vulnerable tropical forests, including the Amazon; this approach is scientifically proven to be the most effective defense against deforestation and natural forest fires—but it requires deep, long-term collaboration between the communities and the public and private sectors.

✔ Stay on top of this story and keep sharing posts, tagging news agencies and influencers. ⁣

✔ Be a conscious consumer, taking care to choose products from companies committed to responsible supply chains.⁣ Eliminate or reduce consumption of beef; cattle ranching is one of the primary drivers of Amazon deforestation.

✔ When election time comes, VOTE for leaders who understand the urgency of our climate crisis and are willing to take bold action—including strong governance and forward-thinking policy.⁣

Source Rainforest Alliance

Photos: @mohsinkazmitakespictures | Windy.com