At 6,400 km, the Amazon River is the world's second longest river, discharging approximately one-fifth of all fresh water that drains into the world's oceans. The region's rainforest is spread across the Amazon River Basin (approx. 6.9 million km2), a vast natural tropical area more than half of which is located in Brazil. Some 30 million people live in the region, including hundreds of indigenous peoples. To date, at least 40,000 plant species and 427 mammals have been scientifically classified in the region. Most species remain undiscovered by scientists.


Models suggest that by the year 2050, temperatures in the Amazon will increase by 2–3°C. At the same time, a decrease in rainfall during dry months will lead to widespread drying.
Research carried out under the auspices of INPE – Brazil's National Space Research Institute – shows that a warmer and drier environment for the region could convert from 30% up to 60% of the Amazon rainforest into a type of dry savanna.
The Amazon's hydrological engine plays a major role in maintaining the global and regional climate. Water released by plants into the atmosphere and by the rivers to the ocean influences the world climate and the circulation of ocean currents.


The traditional population has their own ecological knowledge based on centuries surviving in natural habitats like rainforests. Often this kind of traditional knowledge includes climate interpretation.
WWF is currently setting up an initial Climate Witness project in Upper Acre River region, Amazonas State, Brazil to leverage such ´traditional knowledge´.

WWF will work with several local communities to help them develop adaptation strategies.
The lessons learned from this first project will be expanded throughout the region, based on partnerships with community groups, NGOs and local and regional authorities.