The Amazon rainforest is the largest rainforest on the planet. Many often refer to it as the planet’s lungs because it produces 20% of the oxygen in the Earth’s atmosphere. You may already see why the Amazon fire is a cause for concern. It is one of its kind as it remains the only rainforest left in terms of its size and diversity.

 

The Amazon rainforest is vital to the earth’s atmosphere. It helps in slowing global warming and also reduces the greenhouse effect. It is also home to an immeasurable species of fauna and flora.

 

That’s why the Amazon fire has become a cause for alarm.

 

The Amazon fires are burning at the highest rate ever as reported by the country’s space research centre, the National Institute for Space Research (INPE).

 

So far, the Brazilian Amazon has experienced 74,155 fires this year. This is an 84% increase compared with the same period last year according to data from INPE.

 

Scientists warn that it could strike a devastating blow to the fight against climate change.

 

The negative impact of the Amazon fire

The ability of the rainforest to suck up more carbon than its releases is diminishing due to a lot of factors such as deforestation and changing weather patterns.

 

Environmental activists and organisations like the World Wildlife Fund warn that if the Amazon Biome reaches a point of no return, the rainforest could become a dry savannah, no longer habitable for much of its wildlife.

 

The forest emitting carbon instead of oxygen could have a negative impact on the environment. Carbon is the major driver of climate change. Also, the beneficial role the Amazon hydrological engine plays in maintaining the global and regional climate could be lost. This could lead to an increase in temperature, changes in rain patterns and other substantial changes that might affect us greatly.

 

For a long time, humans have utilised insects, plants and other organisms in the region for a variety of uses including cures for diseases. So the destruction of the rainforest could affect our health.

 

Furthermore, the potential use of the undiscovered plants and animals in the Amazon rainforest biome could be lost while also leading to a huge loss in species that are not found anywhere else on Earth.

 

All these being said, it’s has become necessary that we pray for the Amazon.