Earlier this month the Amazon Rainforest, often referred to as ” the lungs of the earth”, has been ripped with numerous fires across the region destroying a vast amount of the forest . This year there has been more than 80,000 fires that have been reported. Some believe its due to deforestation and cattle farmers.
It is the dry season now, so naturally occurring fires are common. Also with the climate change, the increase in temperature and dehydration only heightens the chance of flammability in the forest. Although, that isn’t the cause of these fires. Many of the fires are due to deforestation caused by farmers clearing forest land for their cattle. For decades the destruction of the amazon forest was caused because of the high global demand for meat products. Cattle demands a large-scale of food supplies, meaning the destruction of native habitats of the forest. With Brazil being the largest beef exporter, many farmers, ranchers and land-grabbers are burning and destroying large parts of the forests.
The amazon rainforest has a massive role in the earth’s oxygen production because of it’s capability to absorb the earth’s carbon dioxide and release oxygen. With the forest burning, instead of releasing oxygen, carbon dioxide is released. The cattle production plays a big role in climate change and the continuous buildup of greenhouse gasses. Since cows produce a highly potent greenhouse gas called Methane, which is 30 times more heat trapping than carbon dioxide.
The burning of the forest has destroyed the natural habitat and homes of many different species. It’s the home of many wildlife species that you wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else. Some of these animals won’t be able to adapt. Their homes and natural habitats are destroyed leaving many animals and species to die off, when the world is in its sixth mass extinction of not only animals, but plants as well.
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Giax 