Tensions have risen between France and Brazil after Emmanuel Macron tweeted that the fires burning in the Amazon basin amounted to an international crisis and should be discussed as a top priority at the G7 summit.
It can be caused by naturally occurring events, such as by lightning strikes, but also by farmers and loggers clearing land for crops or grazing.
And while 25% of western pharmaceuticals are derived from rainforest ingredients, and less than 1% of these tropical trees and plants have been tested by scientists.
When a wildfire hits this soil it becomes too hot and all of those nutrients are gone.
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Therefore, humans have been digging their own grave by avoiding nature, as we need nature around us in order to exist.
Species extinction is effecting the whole life cycle. This is the main issue of concern and worth fighting for rather than fighting over trade tariffs and other baseless issues.
The amazon is burning, the arctic is on fire, the Maldives is sinking, coral reefs are dying, marine life is choking on plastic, Antarctica is melting, the CO2 level is rising, we are dangerously close to the tipping point.
In simpler words, the earth is dying and we are digging our own grave, ruining the next generation’s future.
The fires have swept across 950,000 hectares (2.3 million acres) and prompted the deployment of the army in the amazon forest.
The fires have swept across 950,000 hectares (2.3 million acres) and prompted the deployment of the army in the amazon forest.
The amazon encompasses the single largest tropical rainforest in the world, has been ravaged by thousands of fires. The most intense blazes for almost a decade.
Brazil’s Amazon rainforest has seen a record number of fires in 2019, Brazilian space agency data suggests. According to the National Institute for space research, satellite data shows an 85% increase on the same period in 2018.
The official figures show more than 75,000 forest fires were recorded in Brazil in the first eight months of the year- the highest number since 2013. That competes with 30,759 in all of 2018.
Forest fires are common in the Amazon during the dry season, which runs from July to October.
It can be caused by naturally occurring events, such as by lightning strikes, but also by farmers and loggers clearing land for crops or grazing.
Some facts about Amazon rainforest
Amazon is a house of at least 10% of the world’s known biodiversity. The amazon encompasses endemic and endangered flora and fauna,
And its river accounts for 15% of the world total river discharge into the oceans.
The Amazon rainforest has been described as the lungs of our planet. Because it continuously recycles carbon dioxide into oxygen. More than 20% of the world oxygen is produced in the Amazon rainforest.
It has more than half of the world’s estimated 10 million species of plants, animals and insects live in the tropical rainforests.
About one hectare (2.47 acres) may contain over 750 types of trees and 1500 species of higher plants. Rainforest plants are rich in secondary metabolites, particularly alkaloids. Biochemists believe alkaloids protect plants from disease and insect attacks.
Many alkaloids from higher plants have been proven to be of medicinal value and benefit 121 prescription drugs currently sold worldwide come from plant-derived sources.
And while 25% of western pharmaceuticals are derived from rainforest ingredients, and less than 1% of these tropical trees and plants have been tested by scientists.
At least 3000 fruits are found in the rainforests of these only 200 are now in use in the western world.
Today, over 100 pharmaceutical companies and the US government, including giants like Merck and the national cancer institute are engaged in plant research projects for possible drugs and cures. For viruses, infections, cancer and even AIDS.
The Amazon rainforests hosts numerous dangerous creatures, in fact, some the creatures like the poison dart frog have enough venom that can kill up to 10 humans.
There are more than 50 indigenous communities in the Amazon, who have never made contact with anyone outside the rainforest. Brazil’s Amazon I said to host the majority of the indigenous tribes.
What are forest fires?
Forest fires are blazes that are uncontrolled and fuelled by different types of weather, dry underbrush, and wind, which burn land by the acres and take over everything in their paths, in just a few minutes, there are typically about 100,000 forest fires in the United States every year over 9 million acres of land have been destroyed due to treacherous wildfires.
Climate warming from increasing greenhouse gas emissions if forecast to dramatically increase the risk of very large, damaging forest fires increase the risk of very large, damaging forest fires over the next several decades.
What are the effects of forest fires?
Forest fires take away homes as well as vegetation. All of the inhabitants of the forest fire environment now are found homeless. People often lose their houses as well if the fires are close enough to human housing.
Vegetation is now obsolete if this area is near a farm or near the food of other inhabitants. Million dollars are spent repairing these damages and re-building homes are areas of vegetation.
The soil in the area of the wildfire has been completely destroyed. The soils in the forest are made with decaying nutrients and debris that have a lot of natural ingredients that help make the earth what it is.
When a wildfire hits this soil it becomes too hot and all of those nutrients are gone.
Animals lose their lives. It is sad but a true fact that birds, squirrels, rabbits, and other wildlife animals and other rare species also disappear as the fire burns the forest.
Trees and plants are gone as well – Trees and plants help to produce oxygen in the world- This is very simple and understood fact that fewer trees and plants result in 'bad' for human in every way.
Even to tackle the forest fire, too much water is used. Too much water again can cause soil erosion, and it takes a huge amount of water to be wasted while every drop of water should be preserved.
Another major issue is a large amount of smoke is released into the air which makes it difficult to breathe and also cause air pollution and even more greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere, which makes it difficult to tackle the problem of global warming.
Unfortunately, some human lives are also lost in wildfires. Typically people who fighting the fire who lose their lives trying to save others.
Ash and smoke can cause serious health problems to humans who suffer from allergies and other medical problems. This same smoke and ash have the ability to permanently damage the lungs and the throat.
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Income and jobs are lost for workers in the agricultural field whose field crops and animals were destroyed by the forest fire when people are out of work the economy suffers which makes it difficult to recover.
Insurance premiums soar sky-high after a forest fire because now everyone is looking to obtain some kind of insurance to prevent such devastating losses. People are unable to afford these premiums even when they need them the most.
There will be restricted recreational areas that will not be able to be accessed until they are is clear of debris and is determined to be safe to inhabit or visit.
The loss of animals has the ability to also create extinction for certain animals and other creatures of the forest.
Fire forest prevention and solutions
Every year, countless acres of forests are burned, to help prevent fires in or near forest land during the forest fire season, the following steps should be followed:
- Check local regulation regarding permit requirement and “burn ban” restrictions. Obtaining a burning perming for burning grass, brush, slash or other debris in or within a prescribed distance of forest land;
- A campfire permit and the landowner’s permission for an open campfire, cooking fire or bonfire in or near forest kind;
- A work permit for any work in forest land involving two or more people.
- Burn only natural vegetation or untreated wood products.
- Burn piles are at least 50 feet from structures and 500 feet from any forest slash.
- Clear the area around the burn pile of any flammable debris.
- Don’t burn if it’s too windy to burn – if trees are swaying, flags are extended, or waves appear on open water.
- Fill any large vessels – pools, hot tubs, garbage cans, or tubs- with water to slow discourage fire.
- Shut off natural gas, propane, or fuel oil supplies.
Conclusion
This human civilization is responsible for destroying mother earth. We human are feeding slow poison to earth. Earth has become miserable already by human (destructive) activities, oceans are filled with plastic. Air is filled with pollution, and the soil is also infected with various pollutants.
Therefore, humans have been digging their own grave by avoiding nature, as we need nature around us in order to exist.
Species extinction is effecting the whole life cycle. This is the main issue of concern and worth fighting for rather than fighting over trade tariffs and other baseless issues.
Bhim _UPI - 526683880@icici
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