5 WAYS YOU CAN HELP SAVE THE AMAZON RAINFOREST

Right now, the Amazon is burning. We’re all outraged and heartbroken by what’s happening - and many of you probably feel powerless.

Almost 73,000 fires have been recorded in the Amazon rainforest already this year – 85% more fires than were seen in the whole of 2018. Land is cleared and prepared for agriculture through fires, but not normally at this intensity. The current dry season also contributes to the rapid spread of these fires.

Our Amazon is on fire – and this is a direct consequence of accelerated deforestation.

And the repercussions are devastating.

The Amazon is the world’s largest rainforest and a key ally in fighting the climate crisis. It’s meant to absorb carbon, not produce it. The trees in the Amazon contain up to 140 billion tonnes of carbon. That’s the equivalent of what humans produce in 100 years. Put simply, there’s no way we can fight the climate crisis without stopping the destruction of our forests.

Despite covering only 1% of the planet’s surface, the Amazon is home to 10% of all the wildlife species we know about, and there are probably many more yet to be discovered.It's devastating to see this precious place burning.

But there are things you can do!

1. DONATE TO OUR EMERGENCY APPEAL

Thousands of fires are raging. With your help we’ll:

• Fund intensive monitoring of the fire and evacuation plans
• Provide medical support for personnel involved in firefighting
• Provide firefighting equipment and the transportation of firefighters
• Support local communities’ needs for firefighter training and security

2. SHOW YOUR OUTRAGE

Share it on social media. Talk to your friends and family about it. It’s up to all of us to make this socially, economically and politically unacceptable, and to help stop it happening again in the future.

The more voices we have, the louder our call for urgent action. Keep sharing updates, tag influencers, demand a rallying cry. Share this post.

3. BECOME A DISCERNING CONSUMER

The Amazon is popularly known as the lungs of the world. It contains over a third of the world’s remaining rainforest, but we’re losing it – fast. The more you learn about the crisis that’s happening, the more you can help.

The fires are a direct result of soaring deforestation rates to clear or prepare land for agriculture and cattle farming. We've seen a massive increase in the number of fires in 2019, and half of these have been in the last 20 days. While natural wildfires are not unusual at this time of the year, the sheer scale and intensity of these fires is exceptional, and the direct result of increases in deforestation rates by farmers going largely unchecked by Brazilian government.

The food we eat shouldn’t cost the Earth – but it often does. Forests are being cleared to rear livestock for meat and dairy, and to grow crops to feed the increasing livestock populations. Less demand means less deforestation.

4. REDUCE YOUR USE OF FOSSIL FUELS

The less fossil fuels used, the less impact climate change will have on the Amazon and other important natural areas. Support and demand renewable energy be part of the grid in your area. Turn off electric appliances when you’re not using them. Choose green energy providers for your household, or ask your provider for available options. Take public transport or ride your bike to work.

5. BE PART OF THE CHANGE

Become a member and support our work in the Amazon. We work with civil society groups, business and local governments in the Amazon to increase commitments towards conservation and reversing climate change. We can’t do this without our supporters.

From restoring 12 million hectares of forest by 2030, to supporting communities in their defence of their Amazon livelihoods, this work is more important now than ever. We’re all in this fight together. Become a WWF Member.