Amazon rainforest is the world’s largest rainforest (40% of South America). It is the most important forest ecosystem producing more than 20% of the total oxygen of the world. It is home to nearly three million species and one million indigenous people. A large number of mammals, amphibians, reptiles and birds live there. There are several species which are specific to that particular area and not found in any other part of the world. Many species are not even discovered yet in that area.
This fire has led to a significant loss, even then, there’s not much concern about it in the media or among the authorities. It should be treated as an international issue, and we have to do something to protect our ecosystem. Once a species is lost (endangered species of the Red Data Book), there is no way to restore them. Even money can’t fix nature again.
Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE) has reported 72,843 fires in the country, mostly in the Amazon forest.
Images from the city show the sky pitch-black as the ashes, and fire smoke covers the whole area.
What Caused The Fire?
“Jhum cultivation“, practised by the people living in these forests, is one of the reasons for the fire in the area. They do it to make the land suitable for farming and to create grazing areas for the cattle.
Most of the fires in this forest, nearly 99%, are caused by humans actions directly or indirectly.
Deforestation
This is not limited to the Amazon forest. Clearing of the forest is also done to make the land useful for mining, logging, farming, dams, hydropower, roads, industries etc. We have done this practice of slash and burn for a long time. And when then these fires become uncontrollable it leads to a great loss.
Global warming
Global warming is simply the increase in the Earth’s temperature. One of the reasons for this rise in temperature is deforestation. Deforestation leads to an increase in carbon dioxide level and makes our planet heat up and is further responsible for melting the planet.
Who Is To Be Blamed?
Of course, there are a few instances when such fires are accidental. But most of the time, only humans are responsible for such a scenario. So, it is our responsibility to save our planet from such kind of damage.
French President Emmanuel Macron called this fire an international crisis. He tweeted,
Our house is burning. Literally. The Amazon rain forest – the lungs which produces 20% of our planet’s oxygen – is on fire. It is an international crisis. Members of the G7 Summit, let's discuss this emergency first order in two days! #ActForTheAmazon pic.twitter.com/dogOJj9big
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) August 22, 2019
He suggested that the members of G7: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, U.K. and the U.S. should discuss the fire in the upcoming meeting.
In my opinion, this is a critical issue not only for Brazil or G7 members but all of us. Every country should participate in this and do something about it.
The Habitat of animals and people living in the forest is lost because of this fire, and we are responsible for it. So, we must do something. We have to tackle climate change. As the fire destroys our lungs, we must take initiatives to produce less carbon dioxide and other harmful gases. The forest needs time to recover from this tragedy, and until then, we have to take measures to prevent the adverse effects of climate change.