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| map of Amazon Rainforest Fire |
Thousands of huge fires have been ravaging the Amazon
rainforest in Brazil for about three consecutive weeks, raising widespread
concern about the health of the entire planet.
The northern states of Roraima, Acre, Rondônia and
Amazonas are particularly badly affected, the BBC News reported.
Environmentalists and researchers said the blazes were
likely lit by ranchers, farmers, and loggers who want to burn and exploit the
land for economic benefits.
The Amazon rainforest produces more than 20% of the
world’s oxygen and absorbs millions of tonnes of carbon emissions every year, making
it vital to slowing down the pace of global warming.
The region is also home to at least 10% of the world’s
biodiversity and one million indigenous people.
The raging fires have prompted a growing number of people,
including world leaders and high-profile celebrities, to speak out.
“Our house is burning. Literally. The Amazon - the
lungs which produce 20% of our planet’s oxygen - is on fire,” French President
Emmanuel Macron tweeted, calling it an “international crisis” that needs to top
the agenda at this weekend’s G7 summit.
In an Instagram post, American singer Madonna Louise
Ciccone urged Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro to change his pro-business
policies and help the entire planet by protecting the Amazon rainforest.
American actor Leonardo DiCaprio called on his fans to
donate to front line Amazon groups.
On Twitter, many people tweeted using the hashtag
#PrayforAmazonia to express their sorrow.
As of press time, extra emergency workers have been
sent to the scene of the fire, and sanctuaries are being set up for animals
escaping the flames, according to the BBC News.
Increasing fires
Brazil has seen a record number of forest fires in
2019, data released by the country’s space agency National Institute for Space
Research (NIPE) shows.
The NIPE said its satellite data showed an 85%
increase in the same period in 2018.
The official figures show more than 75,000 forest
fires were recorded in Brazil in the first eight months of the year - the
highest number since 2013. That compares with 40,000 in the same period in
2018.
A number of other countries in the Amazon region,
including Venezuela and Bolivia, have
also seen a higher number of fires this year.
Forest fires can be caused by both natural hazards,
such as lightning, and farmers and loggers clearing land for crops or grazing.
What can we do?
Forests are of great importance to the environment.
Without it, climate change could become irreversible. So every one of us have
the responsibility to do something to protect them. Here’s what we recommend you to do: Help reforestation and slow
deforestation, make sure the products you buy are “forest safe” and take steps to
live sustainably.
Refrigerator filter brand Glaical Pure has been
joining the efforts to protect the environment by advocating using filters for
purified water rather than buying bottled water. Compared to other brands, our
filters are of better quality but cost less. If you are interested, just visit
www.gpfilter.com.
