The Amazon is often referred to as the planet’s lungs, producing 20% of the oxygen in the earth’s atmosphere. Reuters. Environmental advocates and scientists say that Bolsonaro is to blame for weakening environmental protections and calling for the development of the Amazon, emboldening illegal loggers and land speculators to clear the forest. "It's going to be up. Wildfires there today are caused by a combination of droughts and human activity; the intensity and frequency of droughts in turn, have been linked with increases in regional deforestation and anthropogenic climate change. 13 August 2019. Many people use fire to maintain farmland and pastures or to clear land for other purposes. The Amazon is the largest remaining tropical rainforest in the world and produces 20% of the world's oxygen. Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE) reported that there had been more than 72,000 fires in Brazil in 2019, an 80% increase compared to the same period from 2018. When trees have less water during droughts, they shed extra leaves or die, leaving leaf litter and detritus on the forest floor. Three pro-Trump Facebook Groups with more than 1.6 million total members all disappeared in September 2020. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) noted that the Amazon was once thought to be “fire-resistant” thanks to the wetness of the area, but regional deforestation and anthropogenic climate change have increased the frequency of droughts that were once considered “once-in-a-century events”: Throughout most of its history, the Amazon rainforest was relatively fire-resistant thanks to its natural moisture and humidity. 24 September 2012.s. A decision by the U.S. Department of Justice to make details public in an ongoing investigation drew strong rebuke. "This is without any question one of only two times that there have been fires like this [in the Amazon,]" ecologist Thomas Lovejoy told National Geographic. An underwhelmed Morales said the aid from the most industrialized countries was part of the world's "obligation" to preserve the Amazon rainforest. A fire burns trees next to grazing land in the Amazon basin on November 22, 2014 in Ze Doca, Brazil. The Amazon rainforest has been fire-resistant for much of its history because of its natural moisture and humidity but NASA has said drought and human activities are causing wildfires. The Amazon absorbs vast amounts of carbon dioxide and scientists say its protection is vital to curbing climate change. See why nearly a quarter of a million subscribers begin their day with the Starting 5. It is considered a biodiversity hot spot, with many unique species of plants and animals. Brazil has experienced a record number of wildfires this year, more than half of which occurred in the Amazon region. “Fires in Brazil.” This includes personalising content and advertising. Fires are raging at a record rate in Brazil's Amazon rainforest and scientists warn it could strike a devastating blow to the fight against climate change. The U.S. The decree issued by President Jair Bolsonaro comes after escalating international pressure over the worst fires in the Amazon in years that have ignited a diplomatic spat between Brazil and Europe.