September 3rd is the annual Amazon Rainforest Day in 2020, and you can help spread the word by using the #AmazonRainforestDay tag on social media. The goal is to celebrate the largest rainforest on the planet and to bring attention to conservation efforts to protect it.
This massive forest houses over 10% of the planet’s biodiversity, provides enormous amounts of oxygen, absorbs carbon from the atmosphere, and much more. However, it is being destroyed by illegal logging activities and intentional fires for clearing land.
In just 2019, over 7,200 square miles were lost as a direct result of over 76,000 fires intentionally set. These fires quickly went out of control, in which the Brazilian government failed to contain.
A Home For All
Saying the Amazon Rainforest is huge is an understatement. It is larger than the next two largest rainforests combined. As a result of its sheer size, it is home to a ridiculous amount of animals and plants.
In fact, the Amazon Rainforest is home to over 3 million species. That’s out of 8.7 million. It is also home to 2,500 tree species, which is one-third of all tropical trees on the planet.
Yet, it is being burned away.
A Natural Carbon Sink
With nearly 400 billion trees, the Amazon Rainforest is the largest natural carbon sink in the world. Each year, it accounts for absorbing over 2 billion tons of carbon from the atmosphere. That’s roughly 5% of global emissions.
However, as those trees are lost to ravenous forest fires, that carbon is instead released back into the atmosphere and permanently lowers its ability to absorb it.
Thus, worsening our emissions problem.
A Natural Medicine Cabinet
The Amazon rainforest is the world’s largest source of medicine. Over 25% of medical drugs originate from plants found in the Amazon. And there are sure to be more discoveries in the future of this industry.
Most notably are the plants that fight cancer. A staggering 70% of all plants that have anti-cancer properties can only be found in the Amazon.
And they are being burned away.
It’s All On Fire
Even with everything the Amazon gives humanity, we have failed to protect it. Instead, we are the very reason why it is disappearing. 2019 was the worst fire the rainforest ever experienced and it was intentionally caused.
And 2020 is shaping up to be another huge loss for the world as the fires begin again.
Unfortunately, the Amazon Rainforest can not continue to survive as climate conditions grow worse, and fires set it ablaze. Scientists believe that the Amazon may become a grassy savannah in the next 50 years if conditions continue to worsen.
As a result, humanity will lose all of the benefits it provides.
What Can You Do To Help
Without a doubt, one of the best ways you can help the Amazon is by raising awareness and sharing informative posts like this to friends and family. Getting more attention on the subject will have an effect, it gets people talking.
That will eventually reach officials and get governments around the world to do something.
Another way to help is to boycott companies that actively support and benefit from the destruction of the Amazon.
Make sure to use the #AmazonRainforestDay on social media on September 5th top celebrate Amazon Rainforest Day.
