5x What you need to know about the fires in the Amazon region
Suddenly, Instagram was full of it. Images of devastating fires in the Amazon region of Brazil, which many influencers claimed received too little attention. The fire had been raging for about two weeks at that time. The power of social media became clear again: in no time, news sites were filled with it. That is of course positive, as attention must be paid to these forest fires. But what exactly is going on? And what are the consequences? And perhaps most importantly: can we do something from this side of the globe to help? Unfortunately, posting an Insta Story won't save nature, but there are several ways to contribute.
1. A fire season
Every year, around this time, the Amazon region experiences a fire season. In the driest period of the year, the Amazon sees many fires. This fire season has been going on for about two to three weeks this year, so indeed: that indicates how long these fires have been raging. This year, the fires are just very extreme and it seems that they cannot be brought under control.
2. Most fires are started by humans
This statement is not entirely watertight, but many researchers agree: the vast majority of fires are set intentionally. Farmers are said to have set fire to the forested areas so that they can keep their livestock there and grow soybeans, for example. Because the ground is so dry, the fire spreads rapidly through the area.
3. What are the potential consequences of such a large fire?
A direct consequence is that the environment near the forest fires is affected by a lot of soot and smoke in the air. But in the long term, the consequences are also quite severe. Biodiversity decreases as many plants and fruits disappear with the fire. The ground also becomes even drier with the disappearance of the trees (which retain a lot of moisture), making future fires even more intense. The Amazon is also referred to as the ‘lungs of the earth’ because it produces 20% of the oxygen on our planet. So you can imagine that it will also impact air quality.
4. What is the solution to prevent this in the future?
Well, that's tricky. Because the fires are mostly set intentionally and it concerns such a large area, controlling it is almost impossible. The solution lies in the fact that farmers do not benefit from more land, and therefore several countries in Europe have already decided not to import from Brazil anymore. It is, of course, about supply and demand. Unfortunately, the Netherlands has not (yet) decided this.
5. Can you do something to help?
YES. Creating awareness is of course very good, but actually making a donation is much better. With a Story or post on your Instagram, you are not going to stop the fire. The organization Amazon Conservation Organization is the one I would recommend. They have been committed to the preservation of the Amazon region since 1999 and are very transparent about where your money goes and what it is used for. If you prefer to donate right away (DO IT), you can do that via this link. You don't have to give hundreds of euros right away, but you can choose an amount yourself. Every little bit helps, and for one or two fewer glasses of wine on Friday, you will even be grateful to yourself tomorrow.
