The Amazon, One of the Wettest Areas in the World, is on Fire and has been for Three Weeks

Posted on by Natalia Barreau, DI

Brazil is currently in the dark and not because of the sun or the moon.

What we know:

  • According to Brazil’s Research Space Center INPE, 73,000 fires have been detected, which is a record high for the country. The smoke from these fires are being carried by wind and covering the city of Sao Paulo for about three weeks.
  • The agency took satellite photos which showed the fires raging through the states of Amazonas, Rondônia, Pará and Mato Grosso.
  • Since the Amazon is one of the wettest areas in the world it is concerning to the state of Amazonas, who declared a state of emergency earlier this month due to the continuing fires, as well as the future of the Amazon itself.
  • Many are accusing President Jair Bolsonaro, who is known for his anti-environmental stances, for harming the rainforest and starting more fires in an effort to remove indigenous people and make room for miners, loggers, and farmers. 
  • A rise in awareness has occurred over the last 48 hours due to many tweets using the hashtag #PrayForAmazonia & #PrayForTheAmazon about the situation from local Brazilians and others going viral.

 

 

 

 

Related Posts