The action of illegal extraction, the unrestrained growth of deforestation and the absence of assertive environmental positions by the Brazilian Federal Government mean that the Amazon currently faces serious risks. The possibility of losing one of the largest forests in the world is, of course, a danger to life on Earth. Still, not everyone knows the main factors that make protection of the Amazon one of the most important and urgent agendas today.
So that we can better understand this cause, let’s see five of the main reasons for engaging in the defense of the Amazon region’s forest.
1- Preservation of one of the most diverse fauna on the planet
The Amazon rainforest is the largest tropical forest in the world and one of the richest biomes in terms of biodiversity. This means that it has a large number of animal species, many of which exist only in that location. According to the Brazilian Forestry Institute (IBF), research indicates the existence of approximately thirty million species. Considering that, due to the large extension of the area occupied by the forest, not all of them were found and studied by scientists, it is estimated, therefore, that the number may be even greater.
All of this wealth faces the threat of deforestation and the overuse of natural resources. The destruction of the natural habitat of many animals leads several species to extinction.
2 – Respect for the rights of the indigenous community
The largest community active in protecting the Amazon is composed of indigenous peoples. This, historically linked to Amazonian lands, contributes significantly to the reduction of deforestation, neutralizing or mitigating a large part of the harmful effects of this practice. However, the rights of indigenous peoples and culture in Brazil are severely attacked by government officials who turn their political actions towards the interests of ruralists and other large landowners.
The absence of demarcation of indigenous lands leaves the territories of these peoples vulnerable to attacks, invasions and other injuries. Victims of several violent attacks, Brazilian Indians have their integrity severely impaired. This represents an assault on human rights, in addition to making our important Amazon forest even more vulnerable.
3 – Conservation of important rivers and tributaries
The Amazon territory has a large number of rivers. In general, when thinking about the forest, what comes to mind is the importance of animal and plant species in the region, however, the immense amount of water that circulates through this territory adds priceless value to the Amazon. In the midst of numerous water crises faced by Brazil in recent years, the protection of Amazonian springs and rivers has become one of the most urgent environmental guidelines of today.
4 – Maintenance of good climatic conditions in Brazil and in the world
The Amazon represents a green area of colossal proportions, occupying 10% of the planet’s biomass. It is essential that the richness of plant species in the region is preserved, since the enormous number of trees in this ecosystem has an indispensable function in maintaining good climatic conditions for the entire Earth. The humidity of the forest favors the climate of all South American countries, influencing the region’s rainfall regime. In addition, the forest acts to stabilize the global climate.
Because it is a highly extensive tropical forest, the Amazon can store billions of metric tons of carbon, according to an article published in G1 in August 2017. All this potential for climatic balance is seriously hampered by the advance of deforestation and, above all, by the fires carried out in the region. In addition to the losses resulting from the extinction of plant species and the reduction of the green forest area, the burning of fossil fuels reaches catastrophic levels of harmful gas emissions. These are responsible for intensifying the greenhouse effect process, worsening the climatic situation of planet Earth.
5 – Enhancing the tourist aspect of the region
In addition to natural diversity, the Amazon has great cultural wealth. The specificities of the culture of indigenous peoples and others who live in close relationship with the natural conditions of the forest make the region one of the most interesting tourist spots in Brazil. However, all the factors already mentioned cause significant damage to this tourism, making it impossible to receive foreign visitors.
The investment in tourism, added to the preservation of the local fauna and flora, is a strategy that enables the economic growth of the region without damaging some of the fundamental elements for the healthy existence of the plant and animal species of the forest.
Alternative for the defense of the Amazon rainforest
Fires and deforestation are some of the factors that mark the present moment in the Amazon, alerting all of humanity to the risks to which one of the largest and most important forests in the world is subjected. According to the topics observed here, the forest has worldwide importance in several aspects, involving, from the importance of defending Human Rights, to environmental issues indispensable for the continuity of life on Earth, such as the protection of water and ecological factors that prevent the planet’s climatic conditions collapse.
Therefore, consideration of the importance of the Amazon rainforest for environmental stability makes us responsible for the fate of our planet. It is not just for us to monitor and put pressure on government actions, but also to focus our action on supporting non-governmental entities that work directly in the implementation of solutions for the ecosystem, allowing that, at this very critical moment, there are still concrete possibilities for reversing the damage already caused to the environment.