what’s going on?

• The Amazon rainforest, known as our planet’s lungs for helping reduce global carbon dioxide levels and creating much of our oxygen, is on fire

• Brazil’s president, Jair Bolsonaro, refused more than $20 million in international aid to control the fires from the G7 summit - The Verge

why is this happening?

• Since Brazil’s far-right, pro-business president Jair Bolsonaro took office, deforestation has increased, funding for the main environmental agency, Ibama, and efforts to stop illegal logging, ranching and mining have been scaled back - NYT

• Brazil is the world’s largest exporter of beef - USDA

• Loggers and ranchers have set fires to clear land for cattle, and these practices are supported by Bolsonaro - BBC

• Bolsonaro accused small groups and NGOs of starting fires rather than address the larger issue of big, capitalistic corporations seeking profits - BBC

what’s happening now?

• Bolsonaro signed a decree banning land clearance fires for 60 days - BBC

• Bolsonaro said he is considering accepting the $20 million from the G7 summit if French president Emmanuel Macron apologizes for his “insults” - Reuters

• Brazil has accepted $12 million in aid from Britain to help fight the fires - NYT

what can I do?

• Stop eating beef (many fires were intentionally set by loggers and ranchers to clear land for cattle) - CNN

• Only buy products that are rainforest-safe and Rainforest Alliance Certified

  • Look for the label “Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)” when buying tropical wood

• As simple as it sounds, reduce, reuse and recycle!

• Educate yourself on what’s going on and share your knowledge with others - use your power! (especially on social media!)

• Sign the Greenpeace petition to urge Bolsonaro to protect the rainforest

• Sign the Rainforest Rescue petition to say no to free trade with arsonists

• Sign the Rainforest Rescue petition to join indigenous peoples asking the UN and South American governments to stop the destruction of the Amazon

• Sign the change.org petition to the Brazilian government to stop the burning of the Amazon

• Donate! (see the linked organizations below)

some organizations involved:

• Amazon Watch works to stop the destruction of the rainforest and partners with indigenous communities to support climate justice; donate here!

• Rainforest Action Network allows you to protect an acre of the rainforest or donate to their organization to help fund the rainforest’s preservation

• Amazon Conservation Team protects the rainforest, works to fight climate change, and empowers indigenous people; donate here!

• Amazon Conservation Association protects the rainforest and works with indigenous communities to help preserve the forest and stabilize the climate; donate here!

• Rainforest Concern allows you to sponsor an acre of the rainforest to support local communities that care for it or donate to their organization as a whole

• One Tree Planted allows you to plant a tree in the Amazon for as little as $1 to help restore the rainforest

• Rainforest Foundation US works to empower indigenous communities to help protect the rainforest; donate here!

social media guide:

• Hashtags to use/follow: #PrayForAmazonas #PrayForAmazonia #PrayForTheAmazon #SaveTheAmazon

• Accounts to follow: @AmazonWatch, @RnfrstAlliance, @RainforestUS, @RainforestTrust, @RAN, @ACA_DC

• Sample posts/stories/profile photos:

more information:

• Live updates on the fire via CNN