Amazon Conservation

The Amazon rainforest is often referred to as the "lungs" of the planet, providing us with clean air, fresh water and a home to indigenous communities and countless species of plants and animals. As mentioned in earlier postcards, it also helps regulate the Earth's climate. However, despite its importance, it's difficult to ignore the threats that loom over this magnificent wilderness.

Deforestation is one of the biggest concerns. Over 20% of the rainforest has been cleared for activities such as agriculture, mining and ranching. Such actions reduce the forest's ability to store carbon, releasing it into the atmosphere and contributing to climate change. It also leads to habitat loss, as seen with the jaguar population. Deforestation is fragmenting their habitat, disrupting their movement patterns and ability to find prey. Human activities also infringe on their home, leading to conflict between people and jaguars. Ultimately these actions are leading to a decline in their numbers.

Climate change is the next biggest concern. Rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns have caused extreme droughts in the last twenty years. Wildfires have also increased, releasing large quantities of carbon into the atmosphere. These changes place a lot of stress on trees and plants that need more water to survive. It disrupts breeding patterns, migration, and food and water availability for animals. For example, when the river level drops due to droughts, the Amazon River dolphin may get stranded in shallow waters. Unable to access food can lead to malnutrition, disease and becoming prey to caimans. Climate change can also spread invasive species that may be more resilient to the changing conditions. This would allow them to thrive and outcompete native species.

Other major problems are illegal logging contributing to deforestation, mining activities that may release toxic chemicals into the environment, and infrastructure projects such as roads and dams that displace communities, fragment habitats, and disrupt migration patterns.

Fortunately, there are a number of organisations working towards managing the damage. The Amazon Region Protected Areas Program (ARPA) is a joint effort between the Brazilian government and non-government organisations (NGOs) to create protected areas and prevent deforestation. Established in 1998, it has protected over 128 million acres, and deforestation has decreased by 75% in the last ten years.

Other NGOs are also working on various initiatives, including supporting indigenous rights and helping them protect their lands from deforestation. Some NGOs work with local communities to restore forests, while others promote sustainable agriculture by educating farmers on environmentally friendly crop production techniques. Additionally, some NGOs monitor the implications of infrastructure projects through research and use various tools to track their impact.

Many challenges are faced by the Amazon region, and although I am aware that more needs to be done, there's a sense of relief knowing that organisations are actively working on protecting it. I am also helping with conservation by contributing to organisations focused on planting trees, some of which may be in Brazil, and protecting forests.