You might have heard a lot about amazon forest but did you know this breathtaking natural
wonder is spanning a vast 6.7 million square kilometers across 8 countries and one overseas
territory in South America, and holds the distinction of being the largest rainforest
on the planet.
But that's not even the most fascinating part - did you know that the Amazon is thought
to be home to 10% of known species on Earth?
That's right, this lush ecosystem boasts an astonishing array of flora and fauna, with
a new species of animal or plant being discovered every other day on average!
But it's not just a haven for wildlife - the Amazon is also home to a diverse array of
human cultures.
Around 47 million people, including more than 2 million indigenous people, call the Amazon
their home.
With more than 400 different indigenous groups and around 300 indigenous languages spoken
throughout the Amazon, it's a rich cultural melting pot.
And let's not forget about the trees - it's estimated that there could be nearly 400 billion
trees standing in the Amazon.
These mighty plants not only provide breathtaking scenery, but they also play a crucial role
in the environment.
By releasing 20 billion tonnes of water into the air every day, the Amazon's trees influence
rainfall cycles throughout South America.
In fact, a single large tree can release over 1,000 liters of water in just 24 hours - that's
enough to fill 10 average-sized bathtubs!
And it’s not just these living creatures that benefit from the forest, but amazon is
keeping the whole planet safe.
But how is that possible?
let’s find out . The forests and soils of the Amazon store
an incredible 150-200 billion tons of carbon, which is absolutely vital in our efforts to
combat the climate crisis and limit the rise of global temperatures.It's no wonder the
Amazon is a critical player in our fight against climate change.So today we will be looking
at some of the chilling new discoveries, scientists have made in the amazon jungle.
MID PART: The Amazon Rainforest, often referred to as
the lungs of the Earth, has been a vital part of our planet's ecosystem for centuries.
It is home produces around 20% of the world's oxygen.
However, the Amazon Rainforest is under threat like never before, and it's not just the people
and animals who call it home who are at risk - the entire planet is in danger.
According to the National Institute for Space Research (INPE) in Brazil, deforestation in
the Amazon increased by 22% in 2022, and the number of forest fires also increased dramatically.
The Amazon is experiencing the worst wildfires in years, and in the summer of 2022, there
were more forest fires in the Brazilian Amazon than occurred in the entire month of the year
before 2020.
This is a clear indication that the situation is getting worse, not better.Have you ever
wondered what could be the cause behind some of the worst fires observed in years, even
decades, in the rainforest?
It's not common for this ecosystem to naturally burn, especially with its relatively humid
climate.
So, what could be behind these dangerous tragedies?Lets find out
According to experts, many of these fires are a result of highly illegal deforestation,
which involves clearing land by burning it to make way for agriculture and cattle grazing.
The perpetrators often intentionally set areas of land on fire, allowing them to use what
was once part of the rainforest for their personal gain.
However, things can quickly get out of hand, causing fires to become uncontrollable and
destroy even larger areas of land than anticipated.
This was the case in the summer of 2022 when a fire presumed to be a case of arson caused
great distress to the lives of residents of Terranosa, a rural settlement in the Amazon
meant for landless people who make a living from agriculture.
The August fire not only got out of control but also took a significant part of the harvest,
affecting the fields relied on to generate income for the community.
It's worth noting that policies introduced over the course of the last few years have
weakened the power of enforcement agencies, making it more challenging to penalize environmental
crimes.
Even with reports from local Terranosa residents and government inspectors confirming the accuracy
of these crimes, no action has been taken to eliminate illegal land occupation in the
area.
As a result, it's not safe for citizens to speak out against these issues, as many people
who have tried to defend their homes and the environment have lost their lives.
In 2018, an individual lost his life for testifying to report environmental crimes, and another
disappeared.
Several people from all over the community remain regular targets of death threats, including
those in positions of leadership.
It's a tragic reality that those who speak out against environmental crimes are at risk
of losing their lives.
More than a third of the forest has been degraded, and a recent study published in the academic
journal Science warns that the Amazon is on the brink of collapsing into an entirely new
distinct ecosystem.
But how did we get here, and what can we do about it?Human activity and drought are two
of the biggest culprits behind the destruction of the Amazon.
Deliberate fires, selective logging, and habitat fragmentation have all contributed to irreparable
damage to the forest.
But it's not just human actions that are causing harm.
Droughts, exacerbated by climate change, have made the situation even worse.
The research being done on this topic is crucial in helping us understand the extent of the
damage and what can be done to ameliorate it.
By studying areas of the forest that have been damaged but not completely removed, researchers
hope to find ways to restore these areas and prevent further degradation.The distinction
between deforestation and degradation is important to note.
While 17 percent of the Amazon has been cleared completely, more than 33 percent has been
irreparably damaged.
This means that even areas that still have standing trees are deceptively damaged and
more vulnerable to future disturbances.
These damaged areas store less carbon and are ultimately much closer to collapse.The
consequences of the Amazon's collapse are dire.
A drastically reduced level of biodiversity, a much drier climate, and a replacement of
the trees we know of with a flat stretch of grass are just a few of the changes that would
occur.
There is one more issue that is not addressed a lot and most of the times even overlooked.
An guesses?
You’d be surprised to know that even Illegal gold mining leads to massive destruction.
But how can the Illegal and Unmitigated Gold Mining affect the amazon rainforest?
Gold mining in the Amazon has been going on for centuries, but in recent years, it has
become a booming industry.
The lure of gold has attracted many people, and with the rise in demand, illegal and unmitigated
gold mining has become a significant issue.
The methods used in illegal gold mining are devastating to the environment.
Miners use heavy machinery to dig up large swathes of land, causing widespread deforestation.
The chemicals used in the process of extracting the gold, such as mercury and cyanide, are
extremely harmful to the environment and the people who live in the area.
The impact of illegal gold mining on the Amazon is catastrophic.
Deforestation leads to the loss of habitat for countless species, and the chemicals used
in mining contaminate the water supply, leading to health issues for humans and animals alike.
Overall, the procedure used in illegal and unmitigated gold mining has a wide range of
harmful effects on the environment.
It destroys habitats, contaminates water, causes soil erosion, and contributes to air
pollution and climate change.
The question is, why is this happening?
Why are people willing to risk the health of the Amazon and the people and animals that
depend on it for the sake of gold?
Is it greed, or is it a lack of regulation?
There are no easy answers to these questions, but what is clear is that something needs
to be done.
Brazilian President Luis Enacio Lula de Silva has recently made a bold promise to the world.
A promise that could potentially change the course of history.
He has pledged to achieve zero deforestation in the Amazon rainforest by the year 2030.
This may seem like an impossible feat, but with Lula de Silva's commitment to protecting
the environment and rolling out renewable energy sources, it could very well become
a reality.
It's hard to ignore the contrast between Lula de Silva's actions and those of his predecessor,
Bolsonaro.
During his time in office, Bolsonaro dismantled legislation that was in place to protect the
environment, leaving the Amazon vulnerable to deforestation and other environmental threats.
But now, with Lula de Silva at the helm, there seems to be a glimmer of hope for the Amazon.
But Lula de Silva's promise to protect the Amazon is not just about the environment.
He recognizes the global climate security that this rainforest provides, and has made
climate change a top priority in his policies.
He has also pledged to protect indigenous and native peoples, who have long been fighting
to defend their homes and forests.
These are promising developments, but can we really reverse the damage that has already
been done?
The impact of human activity on the rainforest has been nothing short of devastating.
From fires to deforestation, we have caused irreparable harm to this vital ecosystem.
END:
It's important to ask ourselves: what are our thoughts on the Amazon?
Do we care enough to take action and protect this precious resource?
Will Lula de Silva's bold promises be enough to turn the tide and save the rainforest?
Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure - the fate of the Amazon is in our hands,
and we must act now to ensure that it has a future.
What are your thoughts on these discoveries?
Let us know in the comment section down below.