The Amazon is the world’s largest rainforest which covers approximately 2.2 million square miles. It is also referred to as the planet’s lungs, producing 20% of the Oxygen in the Earth’s atmosphere. Sadly, the forest is on fire since the past few weeks.
The world’s largest tropical rainforest is considered as a wealth of animal species, and a home to many plants. And this year, it is burning at the highest rate recorded till now since 2013, as told by the National Institute for Space Research.
The fires are so vast that the fumes can be seen from the space as well. The recent satellite image revealed by NASA is quite shocking as you can see the area covered with smoke. The picture was taken on August 11. Have a look at it!
Moreover, millions of people took to social media after the fire broke out. The hashtag #prayforAmazonia started to be widely used. Here’s one of the tweets out of millions, showing aerial pictures in which more than half of the forest is gutted in the fire.
Who’s to be blamed for the fire?
People are accusing Brazil’s right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro. It is said, that he set Amazon rainforest on fire, and is responsible for harming so many people; in order to benefit those loggers, miners and farmers who helped him get elected.
Recently, he shared his plans to open the Amazon forest for business interests that shocked the environmentalists. He is a long-time skeptic of environmental concerns and wants to welcome more agriculture and mining to the Amazon.
On the contrary, Bolsonaro on Wednesday accused the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for the wildfires in the Amazon. He said they want to damage the government’s image after he stopped providing them with funds.
In response to his statement, Marcio Astrini, Greenpeace Brazil’s public policy coordinated said, “Increased deforestation and burning are the results of his anti-environmental policy.”
However, for the time being, the focus must be on extinguishing the fire as soon as possible and save the Amazonia.
