The Amazon River flows through South America and has a total length of around 6500 kilometers
The tropical rainforests along the river are essential habitats for various endangered animals
However, the diverse ecosystems along the Amazon are vulnerable and at risk of destruction
and now those ecosystems are facing a great crisis
The Amazon rainforest is undergoing deforestation at a rapid rate
Deforestation in the Amazon rainforest first began at the end of the 19th century
Brazil's rubber production attracted attention and force started to be cleared for rubber plantations
By the 20th century full-scale development had begun
Trees were cut down for their wood and forest burned and cleared for farmland
Wood and agricultural products were then exported to wealthy countries. Today, businesses and
consumers from around the world are contributing to the environmental destruction of South America
The destruction of rainforests is said to be a major cause of climate change and global warming
that are affecting our whole planet. If it continues temperatures will keep rising
and desertification will advance resulting in serious consequences for humanity.
How does deforestation contribute to global warming?
Plants use photosynthesis to absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen into the atmosphere
When trees are cut down and burned or allowed to rot, their stored carbon is released into the air as carbon dioxide
This carbon dioxide traps heat and acts as a greenhouse gas
Plant life is essential to the survival of humankind.
Approximately half of the world's plant species are thought to be in the world's rainforests
and the amazon rainforest plays a key role in stabilizing global temperatures
People across the world have now recognized
that environmental problems and global warming are common concerns for the whole of humanity
In 1992, the UN earth summit was held in brazil to discuss the environment and development
In the same year, the Soka Gakkai International (SGI) built a research
facility on the outskirts of manaus in the north of Brazil and the heart of the Amazon
The Soka Institute of the Amazon
The center was built where the pale mud colored Solimoes River from Peru
and the darker Rio Negro from Colombia come together to form the Amazon river
Right beside the river, the research institute covers approximately 60 hectares
Most of this 52 hectares is a protection zone
A green haven that around 280 species of trees and numerous animals call home
This rich environment is a valuable place where researchers can observe an array of species
Daisaku Ikeda, President of the SGI established the institute to help protect the Amazon and protect humanity.
In 1993, upon meeting Austregésilo de Athayde President of the Brazilian Academy of Letters
Ikeda had this to say about the development of the Amazon region
Development in the Amazon should not be solely for economic benefit
We must consider the rights of indigenous peoples
as well as various other aspects and fully examine benefits for humanity and the globe
At the time it was built, the site of the institute was not the abundant green haven it is now
It was a wasteland full of fallen trees caused by deforestation and factory development
Consequently, the institute set out to plant trees and revive the forest
Rainforest can be restored through human effort
The institute's activities began to prove that this could be done
At the time, native rainforest species were rare in the area so researchers collected
information and headed to the depths of the jungle to find the seeds of native species
These seeds were germinated grown into saplings and stored
After the saplings had grown they were transplanted in the forest around the institute
The staff examined various ways to revive the forest without damaging the local ecosystem
They use the enrichment planting method
Instead of just one species a mix of species including economically
valuable species like mahogany was planted to gradually revive the forest
27 years on from its establishment the institute has successfully planted 20,000 trees
and brought the forest back to life.
This has proved that rainforest can be restored through human effort
As the forest has been revived, animals have returned
The animals and plants on the site are vital for academic research
This red rare fruit is said to be effective against Malaria
One important role of the institute is to investigate the ecology of plants like these
Access to observation of these valuable animals and plants
is also provided to local research institutes
For example, the institute works with Brazil's National Institute of Amazonian Research
to undertake further detailed studies
To date, the institute has collected the seeds of over 60 native species and now functions
as a seed bank to store the genetic diversity of many trees and plants
Seed banks have the potential to revive forests
when species become endangered due to unforeseen events such as natural disasters, conflict, or pests
Although awareness of environmental issues is increasing, countries across the world are
failing to reach agreement on the action needed to resolve them due to their economic concerns
Impoverished people in developing regions still cut down trees to make a living
Neglecting nature in this way could lead to the environmental collapse of these regions
It is, therefore, important to build awareness of these issues from a young age
Based on this idea the institute has proceeded with one initiative at full tilt since the 2000s
Environmental education
The institute regularly holds seminars and outdoor classes for children
as part of its environmental education project which began in 2001
In having these local children visit the forest reserve
the institute is teaching the importance of coexistence with nature
Until now, more than 25,000 students from local public schools have visited the institute
In 2017, the institute partnered with the court of Environment
and Agrarian Issues of Amazonas State to launch the Seeds of Life Project
For each child that is born in a Manaus maternity hospital
the institute sends a sapling to be planted in the city
As the children grow, so do the saplings and through this project children learn about the importance of nature
Attention is now on the UN SDGs, a set of 17 goals to achieve sustainability
By 2030, the aim of the SDGs is among others to reduce poverty and hunger
Goal 4 is quality education and Goal 13 is climate action.
Environmental and educational initiatives at the institute are in line with the principles of the SDGs
By sowing seeds of education, the institute
can help develop individuals who consider environmental issues as issues of their own
If people across the world can understand the importance of the environment
and aim for coexistence with nature, the Amazon rainforests can be restored