The Amazon is currently at a major risk. According to National Geographic, in the past 50 years, human activities have completely abolished almost 19% of land in the Amazon. The land is used for agriculture, cattle ranching, logging, farming soy plantations, and others.
Research from World Wildlife Fund demonstrates the impacts of these actions have been harming the environment and destroying biodiversity. This is a problem because the Amazon is home to 10 percent of the world's species, meaning over 870,000 species live in the Amazon. In this rapid rate of deforestation, the primary food source for a variety of animals is being taken away and causing habitat loss. World Wildlife Fund also reveals some animals that became extinct because of Amazon's deforestation, like the Black Spider Monkeys, Jaguars, Amazon River Dolphin, and more. From dispersing seeds to maintaining a balance in the population of different organisms, all these animals are essential for the survival of healthy ecosystems. Overall, creating solutions to the climate crisis as well.
Trees are supposed to be the natural carbon dioxide vacuum we are lucky to have on Earth, but instead, humans are taking away this tool. Mongabay suggests that deforestation is now a major cause of global warming, 8% of the world’s carbon emissions come from the loss of tropical rainforests. Contrarily, to keep the warming in Earth below 2 degrees by 2030, tropical rainforests can give climate change mitigation of 23%, removing almost 7.1 billion metric tons of CO2 emitted every year. However, since incredible profits are earned through many products made from the acts of deforestation, companies don't plan on stopping unless you do. Becoming eco-friendly ensures higher possibilities for the safety of our planet and us.
Well, how can you decrease your ecological footprint? Simple things like supporting your local farmer’s market by buying groceries from there, using reusable bags, straws, composting, unplugging your devices when not needed, reducing red meat consumption, etc. will make a change. Additionally, in this order, try your best to reuse, reduce and recycle. Those are great starts that can make a massive difference to your footprint.
Not only that, there are many organizations, their articles, petitions, actions, etc. that can help you take steps even more beneficial. You can also educate yourself and learn more about the deforestation issues and climate change through different organizations like Rain Forest Foundation, UN, World WildLife, Mongabay, and many more! Try checking out your ecological footprint and see how you feel about it, make a stronger connection with your home and planet, Earth, by saving it.