The world is looking on aghast as the Amazon rainforest burns with reckless abandon. The forest—which is often referred to as the “lungs of the planet” due to producing 20 percent of the oxygen in the Earth’s atmosphere—has seen a shocking uptick in the number of fires this year, with some 73,000 blazes recorded so far in 2019, according to data from the National Institute for Space Research (Inpe). That represents an 83 percent increase in fires in comparison with last year, and is the highest number witnessed since Inpe records began in 2013.
What’s more, the flames show no signs of stopping. Satellite images have spotted over 9,500 new fires in the last seven days, and many local firefighters have given up trying to extinguish them.
The dry season is always the peak time for forest fires in the Amazon. Between July and November, weather conditions favor the spreading of flames. Once a blaze is started, it can be difficult to put out. However, while fires in the Amazon region are sometimes caused by mistake, experts believe the recent wave of destruction is overwhelmingly deliberate.
Deforestation
The understanding among academics and specialists is that the increase in fires is linked to the rise in deforestation. When clearing forested land for farming or extractive activities, the old trees are burned to create space for these new pursuits. With a dry climate, these fires...
Search
