The Amazon Rainforest absorbs one-fourth of the CO2 absorbed by Earth. Today, the forest is 30% smaller than it was in the 1990s. Why? Deforestation.
Deforestation not only disturbs the CO2 absorption rates, which cools down the Earth’s temperature, but it also calls for habitat loss of a grand diversity of unique animals The Amazon contains 10% of all of the known species on earth. 23% of the Amazon also is made up of indigenous land.
The Amazon Rainforest is literally burning down. It is not hitting the national news, and it is a problem. If this deforestation continues, humanity will be heading toward disaster.
Why is the Amazon being deforested? The rainforest is being cut down for agriculture and cattle ranching. Items such as palm oil, sugar cane, and coffee are being grown, and due to the soil not lasting due to the cattle, farmers have to continually cut down more of the rainforest. Mining and oil are also tearing away these forests, due to building roads and pipelines to reach the oil, and removing the forest to extract precious minerals.
What can you do to help? Donate to websites that aim to protect the rainforest. Contact local government officials and ask them to help protect these forests. Educate your peers and family about speaking out. Reduce your use of fossil fuels and demand for renewable energy.
Take action now, for soon, it will be too late.
The Current Environmental Crisis 