The Amazon rainforest is being devoured alive
Every day, the equivalent of 5,000 football fields is destroyed. Scientists warn that the entire rainforest ecosystem could collapse, shaking life on Earth. Brazil's choices determine the fate of the rainforest, because sixty percent of the Amazon basin is located in that country. The Amazon is responsible for absorbing carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, and producing oxygen in significant amounts. In addition, it is an entire ecosystem in itself that is home to thousands of species, some of which have yet to be discovered. Cutting down even a small part of this rainforest could have catastrophic consequences for the planet.
The Amazon rainforest is fighting for life and death. The fate of the entire rainforest may well be in this woman's hands.
Led by Puyr Temb, Indigenous peoples from all over Brazil will soon march to the capital. There, they will demand that the new congress protect the rainforest against destructive deforestation, demining and animal husbandry.
Lula, the new president of Brazil, is already convinced, but there is much headwind from the powerful business community and their political figures who see the rainforest as a gold mine that can be exploited.
Jungles and other tropical nature are rapidly disappearing. And the Netherlands is largely responsible for that, says the World Wildlife Fund. The Netherlands is even among the top 5 European countries that contribute to deforestation. These forests are not located in the Netherlands, but abroad. Especially in South America.
And - unfortunately - not much changes among the youth either. At our school, we do a weekly litter campaign in the school neighborhood. Every week, we pick up bags full of them, just like years ago. Despite all the awareness raising, little seems to have changed in practice.