By: Nataly E.
Photo from: WWF
When we were in elementary school, we all learned the process of photosynthesis where plants create their own food by using light and creating the oxygen we need. The oxygen we breathe comes from plants, and there are about 7.6 billion people, continuing to increase over time- which means we need plants in order to survive. One of the most important sources for our oxygen is the Amazon rainforest that resides in South America, which is the world’s largest rainforest and the largest river basin in the world. The Amazon has been recognized as the lungs of the Earth, as the Amazon not only supports local tribes and communities, but also the rest of the world. It is important that the Amazon is kept safe and healthy, but it is rather difficult when the Amazon is seen as an economic asset to improve mainly Brazil’s economy.
Deforestation is not something new, and has been around since the construction of a 2,000-mile highway in the 1970s. This highway known as Trans-Amazon Highway was meant to help open the rainforest land to settlement by colonists from the droughts that plagued the lands up north. The timber and mineral resources from the Amazon proved to be a key element in maintaining the country’s grand economic growth. The lands that were acquired were used for raising cattle, and the trees that were cut down were used as timber. Today, Brazil is responsible for 50% of the Amazon and is slowly decreasing, but it is increasing in Andean Amazon countries such as Bolivia and Peru.
As a result of deforestation, the Amazon is facing multiple threats to its ecosystems. The Amazon is home to 10% of species known to Earth, and of plants found in the region, 75% are distinct to the Amazon. The Amazon also holds the largest number of freshwater fish species in the world at 3,000 species of fish. Through the loss of the forest, the hydrological cycle is also disrupted. The hydrological cycle is the process of water moving from the land and ocean to the atmosphere and coming back in the form of precipitation— and it is one of the most essential functions of the Amazon rainforest. Each tree in the Amazon absorbs about 100 gallons of water out of the ground and all together releases about 20 billion tons of moisture into the atmosphere. The moisture is recycled from the atmosphere to the land about five to six times a day. With the loss of trees, the process slows down and it could reach levels at which it can no longer support the life in the amazon— including the trees themselves.
The hydrological cycle not only aids the rainforest, but ecosystems around the world. The wind moves the clouds filled with moisture to other places in the world and releases them there— providing water for life elsewhere. The Amazon will no longer be able to provide that precipitation. And with the loss of trees, we lose the oxygen that those trees could have created. With all the pollution in the world, it is important we have a supply of clean oxygen. However- the fires being used to aid deforestation in the Amazon is also causing air pollution. All of these things contribute to global warming— the long term heating of Earth’s climate.
In order to help stop the damage being done to the Amazon, there needs to be action being taken by the governments. Governments such as Brazil and other Andean Amazon countries need to design and administer “zero net deforestation” plans that include repression of deforestation through licensing procedures, monitoring, fines, and adequate penalties for deforestation to discourage illegal clearing of the forests. There also needs to be awareness surrounding the indigenous groups and recognizing their rights. In order for these things to take place, there needs to be communication between countries in order to work together to solve this issue. In order to keep the progress that is being made, there needs to be policies created that attack the root of the problem of deforestation— which includes finding a better source of economic growth and the establishment of land claims.
As for what anyone can do to help the rainforest- there are many things. Simply by reducing paper and wood consumption, oil consumption, and beef consumption can help the Amazon. There are also groups such as the Rainforest Action Network and Amazon Watch that are effective organizations that aid in taking action to prevent companies from damaging the rainforest. Much like what activist groups do— it is important to hold businesses accountable for their practices. We only have one Earth, and we must do what we can to protect what we have left, because we are running out of time and there are no second chances.
Discussion Questions:
How do you think the US can help the deforestation crisis in the Amazon?
How can companies that contribute to deforestation be held accountable?