According to the Amazon Forest Fund website, more than 72,000 fires have been reported by Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE), a significant increase from last year's 40,000 fires.

The website also explained that high rates of deforestation resulted in less rain and dry grassland, which in turn increased the number of forest fires.

Social media users, including celebrities, have expressed resentment over the fires.

“[…] The largest rainforest in the world is a critical piece of the global climate solution. Without Amazon, we cannot keep the Earth’s warming in check. […],” explained DiCaprio in his post on Instagram.

Read also: /news/2019/08/23/amazon-fires-how-celebrities-are-spreading-misinformation.html

 

 

 

 

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#Regram #RG @rainforestalliance: The lungs of the Earth are in flames. 🔥 The Brazilian Amazon—home to 1 million Indigenous people and 3 million species—has been burning for more than two weeks straight. There have been 74,000 fires in the Brazilian Amazon since the beginning of this year—a staggering 84% increase over the same period last year (National Institute for Space Research, Brazil). Scientists and conservationists attribute the accelerating deforestation to President Jair Bolsonaro, who issued an open invitation to loggers and farmers to clear the land after taking office in January.⁣ ⁣ The largest rainforest in the world is a critical piece of the global climate solution. Without the Amazon, we cannot keep the Earth’s warming in check. ⁣ ⁣ The Amazon needs more than our prayers. So what can YOU do?⁣ ⁣ ✔ As an emergency response, donate to frontline Amazon groups working to defend the forest. ⁣ ✔ Consider becoming a regular supporter of the Rainforest Alliance’s community forestry initiatives across the world’s most vulnerable tropical forests, including the Amazon; this approach is by far the most effective defense against deforestation and natural forest fires, but it requires deep, long-term collaboration between the communities and the public and private sectors. ✔ Stay on top of this story and keep sharing posts, tagging news agencies and influencers. ⁣ ✔ Be a conscious consumer, taking care to support companies committed to responsible supply chains.⁣ Eliminate or reduce consumption of beef; cattle ranching is one of the primary drivers of Amazon deforestation. ✔ When election time comes, VOTE for leaders who understand the urgency of our climate crisis and are willing to take bold action—including strong governance and forward-thinking policy.⁣ ⁣ #RainforestAlliance #SaveTheAmazon #PrayForAmazonia #AmazonRainforest #ActOnClimate #ForestsResist #ClimateCrisis 📸: @mohsinkazmitakespictures / Windy.com

A post shared by Leonardo DiCaprio (@leonardodicaprio) on Aug 22, 2019 at 7:12am PDT

Meanwhile, US$5 million will be donated to five local organizations to protect habitats in the Amazon forest, according to Hollywood Reporter. The organizations are Instituto Assosiacao Floresta Protegida, Coordination of the Indigenous Organizations of the Brazilian Amazon, Instituto Kabu, Instituto Raoni and Instituto Socioambiental.

Earth Alliance joined the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation in early July to tackle serious threats to the life support systems on Earth.

Businesswoman and philanthropist Laurene Powell Jobs and investor and philanthropist Brian Sheth co-founded and co-chair Earth Alliance with DiCaprio, whose foundation has provided more than US$100 million in grants for the environment since its establishment in 1998. (ran/mut)

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