Almost 73,000 fires have been recorded in Brazil 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.

EDUCATE YOURSELF
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 illegally claim land and clear land for cattle ranching and agriculture. 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 fires 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 Brazillian government. 

The food we eat shouldn’t cost the Earth – but it often does. Forests globally, 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.

SIGN THE PETITION

We need to break the system that’s driving this, both in the Amazon and in other valuable landscapes. Join us in demanding that the Worlds  Governments must end the importation of products that cause deforestation, and not allow them to be sold anywhere.. We need  global governments to tackle the global deforestation emergency at the UN climate meetings in September, and ensure a rapid transition to a climate and nature friendly future.

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 tackling unsustainable practices, to supporting communities in their defense of their Amazon livelihoods, this work is more important now than ever. We’re all in this fight together.