The Amazon Rainforest is the lungs of our planet. She has been burning away, with little attention, for three weeks.
There is no world to be a jet-setter in if the rainforests of Brazil didn’t exist. No skies to fly through if our atmosphere is full of her ashes. No luxuries to be enjoyed if the necessities she provides are senselessly, and irresponsibly, destroyed. As modern jet-setters, we must use our voices to influence change, not shy from critical moments with inaction and silence. Here are a few ways to help the Amazon and start the conversation to end deforestation:
Educate Yourself on Deforestation
The Amazon Rainforest, known as the lungs of our planet, is burning at a record rate. Over 73,000 fires have been recorded in 2019 alone, 10,000 occurring in this week.
Why are the fires happening? The rate of deforestation for agricultural, ranching and farming purposes has skyrocketed; consequently, the number of seasonal fires are increasing dramatically (83% in 2019 alone). The Brazilian government is not doing due diligence to regulate deforestation, making financial gains via agricultural pursuits largely unchecked. This leaves the rainforest gravely susceptible to destruction and dry season fires. The area currently burning is responsible for 20% of the planet’s oxygen.
The rainforests are critical to our present, but also our future. Besides giving us the air we breathe, humans have managed to scientifically study only 1% of the rainforest’s plant species for medicinal cures (and 25% of cancer-fighting medicines already come from the Amazon rainforest). The Amazon is the planet’s hub of carbon dioxide balance and plays a critical role in global weather patterns. The region is also habitat to animals on the verge of extinction. There is no end to what will be lost if deforestation isn’t stopped.
Deforestation Causes More Than Fires; It’s Killing Bees
Without bees, humanity is starved. The combination of fires, deforestation and the use of new pesticides in the rainforest for agricultural purposes has caused half a million bees to drop dead in Brazil in the past three months alone. Colony Collapse Disorder is becoming a global problem, threatening 75% of the globe’s food sources.
Talk About it on Social Media
#PrayforAmazonia #TogetherFortheAmazon
Use. Your. Voice. As with any political conversation in 2019, most of us shy away from “delicate” topics because we’ve abandoned the notion that respectful conversations are possible, or we contribute to division with senseless Facebook arguments. The environment is not political, it’s critical to humanity and the survival of endangered animals. Step over your political affiliation and realize climate change is real and we must collectively, as allies, take action.
Vote For Leaders Who Care about The Planet
Research political candidates and take their stance on the environment and climate change into serious account, if not foremost account. The future of climate change rests largely in the hands of those in charge of our governments, and we need to support those who believe in the protection of our planet.
Americans: You can see how Congress and current politicians vote on climate issues with the official environmental scorecard. You can also see a full list of the environmentally detrimental actions and policies of the Trump Administration on National Geographic.
Join the Fight (for a lifetime)
There are many ways to donate to the communities, firefighters, charities, organizations and locals fighting for the preservation of the Amazon Rainforest:
- Protect an Acre: Donate to protect an acre of the Amazon Rainforest via the Rainforest Action Network
- Support Rainforest Trust: This organization is buying out millions of acres of Amazon Rainforest for the pure purpose of protection and conversation, leaving it off limits to agricultural development.
- Sign Critical Petitions: There are thousands of petitions circulating, but this one holding the culprits to the current fires accountable is gaining notable traction.
- Consider Ecotourism & Service-Based Travel Experiences:This is one aspect of Modern Jetsetter I’m bringing into the future editorial narrative. Luxury travel is my haunt, but more important? Experiences that help people and the planet.
Cultivate Better Habits
There are little gestures for the rainforest we can do every day:
- Eat less beef: Over 60% of deforested rainforest is used for cattle ranching to meet the consumer demands of beef consumption in the Americas.
- Skip products with Soy and Palm Oil:Palm and soy plantations are responsible for a great chunk of deforestation, and these two ingredients are hidden everywhere. Check your labels.
- Go Paperless: Order reusable grocery bags, switch all bills over to email, refuse paper receipts, petition for more recycling regulations in your city. We must carve a future without paper in the picture.
Don’t be silent, jetsetters. Tomorrow’s reality depends on the actions we take today. There is always a path forward.
-Kortney