The Amazon Rainforest in Brazil is on fire. And has been for almost three whole weeks.
Burning at the highest rate since 2013, it’s mad to think that some of us are only finding out about it now. In fact, things have gotten so bad that the extent of damage can be seen from space.
According to the Brazilian National Institute for Space Research, there has been an 84% increase in wildfires this year and more than 9,500 last week alone! Fires often break out in the rainforest during the dry season, however it seems that there are suspicions that some have been started deliberately to deforest land for agriculture and farming.
A blackout in São Paulo on Monday sparked huge concerns, considering that the city is almost 3,000 km away from the rainforest. Smoke from the fires turned the sky black, indicating just how serious matters are.
The AMAZON rainforest has now been burning for 16 DAYS Non stop??
The amazon is responsible for 20% of the world’s OXYGEN
THIS IS AS SCARY AS IT GETS!!!
When NOTRE DAME BURNT EVERY SECOND. It was on every news channel & billionaires rescued it in hours.#PrayForTheAmazon pic.twitter.com/HnYAU5HSJE
— ?? Parag Govil ?? (@ParryGovil) August 22, 2019
Many have criticised the lack of global response to the situation, especially in comparison to the commotion that the fire in Notre Dame cathedral caused earlier this year. However, you can help and do your bit for the ‘lungs of the planet’ by visiting Rainforest Action Network, donating to the WWF or signing a Greenpeace petition demanding governmental action.
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