Brazil has had about 80,626 fires nationwide so far.. Amazon clear-cutting was up 88% in June from the previous year — and in July it was up 278%. These are the highest figures recorded since the INPE started gathering data in 2014! Rondonia, specifically, is one of the most deforested states in the Amazon.
Only after the president of Brazil (Jair Bolsonaro) was threatened with trade sanctions by world leaders, he promised to send 43,000 troops to help with the inferno in the Amazon rainforest. This is the same man who fired the director of National Institute for Space Research for releasing (honest) figures about the deforestation rate because he didn’t agree with it.
“They (Jair Bolsonaro) are trying to forcefully implement an agenda of deconstruction, of deregulation, with total disrespect for institutions, or science.”
Malu Ribeiro, project coordinator at nonprofit SOS Mata Atlantica
Before Bolsonaro took office last year, Brazil managed to wind back deforestation in the Amazon by 80%. For decades, Brazil showed dedication to protecting the Amazon. Brazil did more to improve the chances of controlling climate change than any nation on earth. However, since Bolsonaro has taken office, wildfires and destruction have increased 84%.
If you paid attention to the presidential election in Brazil last year, we were warned about Jair Bolsonaro. He brought terror and shook environmental activists. It is no secret that Bolsonaro had plans of destroying the Amazon to make way for more economic gain. He proudly wears the self given nickname “Captain Chainsaw” (referring to the Amazon) and earned the nickname “Tropical Trump”. Since he has taken office, Brazil has registered 1,200 pesticides, including a few which are banned in some countries. Is it just me, or does it seem as though he knew something we did not know? Pesticides are used for agricultural purposes. Man made fires and clear cutting is implemented to clear forests to make way for land for animals to graze on. It is no coincidence that since he has been elected, environmental destruction has come to Brazil 10 times over. He has even repeatedly said that he will pull Brazil from the Paris agreement on climate change. Bolsonaro has even been recorded saying, the forest was “like a virgin that every pervert from the outside wants,”
“Brazil’s economic development has been limited by the world’s affection for the Amazon.”
President Jair Bolsonaro
Why should you care? Around 60% of the Amazon rainforest is located in Brazil: the area takes in around two billion tons of carbon dioxide a year, releasing about a fifth of the Earth’s oxygen.
It’s safe to say, the fires in the Amazon is no accident. This is a direct result of a money hungry pro deforestation president hungry for economic gain that the expense of the rainforest. There has been an increase of illegal manmade forest fires and logging. This is done to clear land for agriculture and livestock grazing. Bolsonaro is an enemy to the Amazon and is plotting on destroying it. We cannot let one man dictate our fate. Although the Amazon is in his backyard, he does not own it. The Amazon rainforest is a commons and is not owned by any one entity. We all need to come to together and take a stand and show support for “the lungs of the planet”.
ECO BAE 