Amazon

Rainforest Wildfires
 OVERVIEW
• The Amazon rainforest is the largest rainforest
in the world.
• It represents over half of the
planet's rainforests.
• Comprises the largest and most
biodiverse
tract of tropical rainforest in the world.

Area by Countries
Others
Colombia 17%
10%
Brazil
60%
Peru

13%
LOCATION
How did the Amazon rainforest fires
start?
INPE research Alberto Setzer told Reuters: “The dry
season creates the favourable conditions for the use and
spread of fire, but starting a fire is the work of humans,
either deliberately or by accident.“
Jair Messias Bolsonaro is a
Brazilian politician and retired
military officer, serving as the 38th
President of Brazil since 1 January
2019.

Conservationists have blamed the

country's president, Jair Bolsonaro, for
the current Amazon rainforest fires,
saying he has encouraged loggers and
farmers to clear the land.
His party claim that there is nothing
exceptional happening in the Amazon,
and that the rising international pressure
is a result of the same supposed lies
about global warming.
These are baseless ravings of a hubristic
leader who continues to put his personal
ideology ahead of facts and what's best
for those he is supposed to serve.
It's that same hubris that led him to
reject the $22 million in aid the G7
nations recently offered to help fight the
fires.
The National Institute for Space Research (INPE) has
recorded more than 74,000 fires so far this year – an 84
per cent increase on the same period in 2018. It’s the
highest number since records began in 2013.
 CAUSES
 Human intervention: According to INPE (Brazil’s space research centre), 99% of the Amazon
wildfire is caused due to human intervention either accidentally or on purpose. It also
estimated that this year has seen an 80% increase in the forest fire in the Amazon compared
to the last year.
 Cattle ranchers & Loggers: The current Amazon wildfire is said to have been caused by the
cattle ranchers and the loggers who are currently undertaking measures to clear the forest
areas and utilize it for the economic benefits.
 Farmers:
• Amazon is mostly characterized by humid weather condition.
• However, between July and August, it too is a subject of the dry season.
• This year’s Amazon wildfire coincides with the dry season – a condition favourable for
• clearing the forest areas.
• This makes it evident that the farmers wait for the dry season to clear out the forest areas
• for agricultural purposes.
• The Brazilian farmers had even organized a “fire day” along the highway BR-163
High Alert
Brazil has declared a state of
emergency in the region. The
fires are destroying the homes
of indigenous tribes and
threatening millions of animal
species.
One tribal chief described the
halting response of Brazil's
president, Jair Bolsonaro,
regarding the fires, along with
his support for deforestation,
as a form of genocide.
In late August, the G7 Summit -- an annual meeting of
the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan,
the UK and the US -- agreed on the aid package,
according to The Hill on Aug, 26. Brazil's president
originally had accepted the aid and tweeted that Brazil is
committed to environmental protection.
 CONSEQUENSES
fire in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest has been
ning at the highest rate. There have been
und 72,843 fires in Brazil in 2019 itself, with
re than half in the Amazon rainforest. This
ws an 80 percent increase in fires during the
same period in 2018.
ding to scientists, the Amazon rainforest fire
uld deliver a huge blow to the global fight
ainst climate change. The fire will not only
in a major loss of trees and biodiversity but
release excess CO2 into the atmosphere. 
forest fires also release pollutants including
ulate matter and toxic gases such as carbon
noxide, nitrogen oxides and non-methane
rganic compounds into the atmosphere.
.
Public Response
•#ActForTheAmazon
began trending on Twitter
and protests began last
week. In Zurich, activists
from the Klimastreik
Ecological Movement and
Brazilians assembled
outside of the Brazilian
Consulate on Aug. 23.
•In Dublin, the Extinction
Rebellion Collective
occupied the Brazilian
Embassy. Twitter users
captured images of a
protest in Barcelona as
well. Demonstrations
have also taken place in
Paris, London, Madrid and
Copenhagen, Denmark.
Members of an
indigenous tribe
from the Amazon
sing during a
protest organized
by Extinction
Rebellion at the
Brazilian Embassy
in London.
 STEPS TAKEN TO CURB
THE DEVATSATING FIRES
1. Protect an acre of land : Protect An Acre helps local activists regain
control of sustainably managed traditional territories, and fight
against human rights abuse.
2. Buy some land : You can support its work by buying some land and
helping it to support local communities in preserving the Amazon for
future generations.
3. Support Indigenous populations : By lobbying governments,
exposing destructive corporations and training Indigenous communities.
4. Eat ethically : Many of us find it hard to go fully vegan, but even
reducing cheese, beef and pork consumption, and throwing away less can
all help to reduce the intense pressures food habits place on forests and
other ecosystems.
6. Vote : Wherever you are, vote for someone with enough ambition to
stand up for protecting the planet rather than their job, or corporate
interests.
Thank
You
For
Watchin The
End