Illegal deforestation is killing the Amazon rainforest. The Amazon is the richest and largest rainforest in the world, providing a home to thousands of different species and around 900,000 indigenous people. Stretching across 9 different countries, the Amazon rainforest absorbs around 2.2 billion tons of carbon dioxide annually.  Although, if deforestation continues, global warming will be accelerated forward impacting everyone. 

Deforestation is a massive issue in the Amazon and is nearing a "tipping point" where it will no longer be able to recover. The Amazon rainforest can only take so many droughts and fires before it stops being able to regain its footing. Scientists believe that once 20-25% of the Amazon has been deforested it will have reached the "tipping point" and be stuck in a cycle of self-destruction. The destruction of the Amazon would lead to the death of all animals living there and the loss of a home for indigenous communities who reside there. This would also set the world back on our fight against climate change by releasing all the carbon dioxide the rainforest has absorbed up until now. 

Facts about the Amazon:

• losing the Amazon could mean 90 billion tons of carbon dioxide is released into the air,
• deforestation has taken over 17% of the Amazon rainforest in the last century,
• 75% of what remains of the Amazon has been weakened by deforestation and climate change,
• by 2021 approximately 450,000 sq km of Brazil's portion of the Amazon has been converted in cattle pastures, and
• 3/4ths of endangered species have had their habitats touched by intentionally set forest fires used to clear the land.

At the moment, the Amazon has some protective laws in place to stop illegal deforestation, however, due to the vast size of the rainforest, they are not able to completely prevent it. This is why I believe that we should be combating this problem by creating a ban in Canada on companies buying products that were derived through illegal deforestation practices in the Amazon. This would help dissuade people from participating in illegal deforestation and buying products derived from illegal deforestation because they would be losing customers. To help ensure the program works, Canada would need companies to provide proof the products they are importing do not come from illegal Amazon deforestation.

Sign this petition to protect the Amazon rainforest and gain the attention of the legislative government of Canada!

Contact Amazon Watch for more about what you can do to protect the Amazon!