Amazon Fires – What’s Happening & What Can You Do?

French President Emmanuel Macron has stated that world powers are close to an agreement regarding how to fight the fires currently raging through the Amazon in Brazil.

“There’s a real convergence to say ‘Let’s all agree to help those countries hit by these fires,’” he stated at the G7 summit Biarritz, whilst acknowledging countries had different views.

Since January 2019, more than 74,000 forest fires have caused destruction in the Brazilian Amazon, an increase of 83% compared to the same period in 2018. Known as the ‘Lungs of the Planet’, many fear for air quality, not just in the region but around the globe.

Home to important biodiversity, the Amazon is reaching a tipping point, say scientists. There is a real risk that the biggest rainforest on the planet could become a dry savannah should illegal deforestation continue.

Preliminary satellite data from Brazil’s space agency has shown that trees are being cleared at the rate of five football pitches per minute, meaning 2,254 sq km were destroyed last month, a record level.

Although Brazil’s right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro has encouraged mining, farming and logging in the Amazon and attacked conservation NGOs, there are numerous factors that have caused the increase in deforestation. The agricultural industry has also lobbied to weaken the protection system that was in place until 2014.

Last week, Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili tweeted ‘Georgia’s Heart is Burning with the Amazon. We join the struggle to save our planet and call to #ActFortheAmazon,’ although she did not mention a concrete plan of how Georgia could help the international struggle.

Millions of people around the world including prominent celebrities and politicians have taken to social media to express their anger at the situation in Brazil. However, words are not enough. So, what can you do to help the Amazon?

1. Stop eating meat

The meat industry is a big factor of the Amazon fires as farmers burn trees to create grazing pastures for cattle. Reducing your meat consumption is the biggest change you can make to slow down climate change. With vegetarian and vegan cafes in Tbilisi such as Kiwi Vegan Cafe and Mama Terra, as well as plenty of fresh and tasty fruits and vegetables, Georgia is an easy place to become vegetarian. If you can’t bear the thought of not eating meat, make sure you buy local and that any beef from Brazil is certified by groups like that Rainforest Alliance.

2. Take public transport

Georgia has poor air quality and polluted cities as cars produce high levels of CO2, especially older models that are frequently driven in Georgia. Taking public transport rather than a private taxi or car will reduce your carbon footprint. Or, even better – cycle!

3. Use less paper

Trees are also cut down in the Amazon to create paper and wooden products. Avoid printing out documents unless absolutely necessary or use recycled paper. If you buy products made from wood, check if it is local and sustainably sourced.

4. Lobby politicians

Collective and political actions will make the biggest difference. You could write to MPs in Georgia, encouraging them to make the environment their priority, not just in the Amazon, but in Georgia too. You can also join a campaign group that focuses on the Amazon or donate to organizations that help the Amazon such as Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, WWF, Greenpeace, Instituto Socioambiental, Amazon Watch, or International Rivers.

By Amy Jones

Image source: Sky News