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The Amazon is in crisis

The Amazon is being deliberately destroyed. Trees that have stood for hundreds of years are being chopped down and fires are decimating the land to make way for agriculture.

The reality is that we all have a joint responsibility in protecting the Amazon. The food we eat is helping to fuel the deforestation that destroys precious habitats and the wildlife that lives there.

Deforestation in the Amazon remains dangerously high. This continues to devastate the lands of Indigenous peoples and local communities, killing wildlife, and worsening the climate crisis.

Every hectare of the Amazon that is destroyed pushes the rainforest closer to collapse. And if we lose the Amazon, we lose the fight against the climate crisis.

We can all be part of the solution. Whether it’s standing with Indigenous peoples, campaigning to make sure UK products are not contributing to the destruction of nature, or simply spreading the word that we must act now to save the Amazon. Inaction is not an option.

Amazon fires destruction

1. LEARN ABOUT THE AMAZON

As well as being an irreplaceable home for wildlife, Indigenous peoples and local communities, the Amazon plays a crucial role in our planet’s health.

The more forest that is destroyed, the more we risk catastrophic climate change. The Amazon is on the brink of collapse. If this happens, there would be devastating impacts on our climate and our ability to limit warming to below 1.5 degrees.

Indigenous peoples and local communities are finding it increasingly tough to cope with the pressures of land grabbing, fires, deforestation, illegal mining, and the pandemic.

The more we know about forests – and the causes of their destruction – the more we can help spread the word about the issues.

 

Txai at COP26

2. LISTEN TO INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

To fully understand what’s happening in the Amazon, we must listen to Indigenous peoples. They are the guardians of the rainforest and have invaluable knowledge that can protect and restore nature for generations to come.

Right now, the Brazilian government is proposing laws that threaten Indigenous lands and the communities who have lived there for thousands of years.

At WWF, we’re collaborating with local partners to support the rights of the Indigenous peoples and their efforts to defend their lands. We’re also lobbying governments and companies around the world to take action to halt deforestation and restore nature.

Indigenous peoples are at the forefront of protecting the Amazon, they understand the threats and solutions better than anyone.

 

A group of local community leaders and 'environmental promoters' conduct an environmental survey of the forest on the farm of Marco Aurelio Zapata

3. BE PART OF THE CHANGE

Although it might feel far away, what we do in the UK impacts the Amazon. From the food we buy, to our financial choices, to the decisions made by our government. We can all help to build a better world by making small changes to our everyday lives.

By downloading WWF-UK's My Footprint app, you can discover a variety of challenges to reduce your impact on the environment.

At WWF, we’re committed to working with partners, Indigenous peoples and local communities to protect the Amazon and its wildlife for future generations.

Become a member and support our work in the Amazon. You can help us drive sustainable practises, monitor wildlife populations, provide legal support to Indigenous peoples and much more.

This work is more important than ever, and we can’t do it without you.

We’re in this together.