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Our Planet’s Lungs Are On Fire

Our Planet’s Lungs Are On Fire

Editorial use only. HANDOUT /NO SALES Mandatory Credit: Photo by NASA EARTH OBSERVATORY HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock (10367572a) A handout photo made available by NASA of a satellite image showing several fires burning in the Brazilian states of Amazonas (top C-L), Para (top R), Mato Grosso (bottom R) and Rondonia (bottom C), 13 August 2019 (issued 21 August 2019). In picture at bottom left is seen Bolivia. In the Amazon region, fires are rare for much of the year because wet weather prevents them from starting and spreading. However, in July and August, activity typically increases due to the arrival of the dry season. Many people use fire to maintain farmland and pastures or to clear land for other purposes. Fires in the Amazon rainforest, Brazil - 13 Aug 2019

Photo credit: NASA Earth Observatory Handout

The Amazon rainforest is on fire and has been for about three weeks now.

What is known to the world as the “planet’s lungs,” has had more than 72,000 fires since January of this year, according to the National Institute for Space Research. That’s an 83% increase from last year.

The Amazon produces 20% of the oxygen in the planet’s atmosphere and is the largest rainforest. For those who believe in climate change, this rainforest is extremely vital in slowing down global warming.

It’s reported that the smoke from the fires has reached Sao Paolo, which is more than 1,700 miles away. Citizens have posted images of how pitch black the sky has gotten.

Some celebrities have used their social media platforms as well, to bring attention to the wildfires.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

The AMAZON Rain FOREST IS ON FIRE THIS IS TERRIBLE IT’S ONE OF THE BIGGEST CARBON SINKS IN THE WORLD, Spread The Word. #theamazonrainforest

A post shared by Jaden (@c.syresmith) on

The European Union’s satellite program released a map of the smoke covering almost half the entire country and spilling into neighboring countries like Bolivia, Peru, and Paraguay.

The World Wildlife Fund has warned us if the fires in the Amazon reach a point of no return, it can become a dry savannah and no longer be habitable for its wildlife. The WWF says if that occurs, the Amazon will obviously no longer be a source of oxygen, but instead start emitting carbon – and what does carbon do? It increases climate change!

Conservationists believe Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is the cause of the forest fires. They say he has allowed loggers and farmers to clear the land.

Whatever the reason may be, these fires are bad and can lead to extreme consequences for the world.

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