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 our planet’s tropical forests. 4,100 miles of winding rivers, 2.6 million square miles, 40% of South America.
There’s 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, stabilise our global climate. De-forestation has catastrophic consequences. Amazon hosts millions of species & unusual wildlife. The last refuges for jaguars, harpy eagles, pink dolphins, birds, butterflies, macaws, sloths, pygmy marmosets, emperor tamarins & Goeldi monkeys. It’s natural diversity is staggering – 40,000 plant species, 3,000 freshwater fish & 370 reptiles. Over 30 million people, 350 indigenous groups depend on the Amazon for agriculture, traditional medicine.
Despite it’s mighty splendour, the awe-inspiring Amazon rain-forests & freshwater systems are very fragile. Face warmer temperatures, less rainfall & droughts of historic proportions. Long dry spells wither crops, decimate fisheries & bring forest fires. Forests cleared for grazing pastures & crop land bring huge de-forestation. Infrastructure contamination is dangerous for rivers & marine life.
If only we could welcome & embrace natural diversity into our lives, our world would be a much better place. Donate to Amazon Conservation. The Amazon gives up to 20% of the air we breathe, stores 25% of our world’s water & regulates our climate. Gratitude.
