The Amazon. A vast, vibrant region spanning 8 countries – Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana. 1 in 10 species on Earth, 1.4 billion acres of dense forests, 1/2 of planet’s tropical forests. 4,100 miles of winding rivers, 2.6 million sq miles, 40% of South America.
A clear link between the health of the Amazon & our planet. The largest tropical rainforest in the world is at extreme risk every minute. Rain-forests contain tons of carbon, help stabilise global climate. Deforestation has catastrophic consequences. Amazon hosts millions of species & unusual wildlife. Last refuges for jaguars, harpy eagles, pink dolphins, birds, butterflies, sloths, pygmy marmosets, saddleback, emperor tamarins & Goeldi monkeys. It’s diversity is staggering – 40,000 plant species, 3,000 freshwater fish & 370 reptiles. More than 30 million people, 350 indigenous groups depend on the Amazon for agriculture & traditional medicine.
Despite it’s mighty splendour, the Amazon forests & freshwater systems are fragile, at severe risk. Face warmer temperatures, less rainfall & droughts of historic proportions. Long dry spells wither crops, decimate fisheries & bring forest fires. Forests cleared for grazing pasture & cropland bring deforestation. Infrastructure contamination is dangerous for rivers & marine life. If only we welcome natural diversity into our lives, our world would be a better place.