Leonardo DiCaprio Announces $5 Million USD Commitment to Amazon Forest Fund
Actor and environmental activist Leonardo DiCaprio alongside his Earth Alliance non-profit has announced the forming of a new emergency Amazon Forest Fund, committing an initial $5 million USD to focus critical resources for indigenous communities and other local partners working to protect the life-sustaining biodiversity of the Amazon.
Last week it was revealed to many that the Amazon rainforest was burning at a record rate due to wildfires caused by humans. According to Business Insider, more than 9,500 new forest fires have started across Brazil in the forests basin since August 15, with scientists recording more than 74,000 fires throughout the country so far this year. That is roughly double the amount of 2018s 40,000 fires, marking an 83 percent increase compared to last year. The fires have gotten so bad that it led to Brazils largest state, Amazonas, effectively declaring a state of emergency last Monday.
The fires have ultimately led to a 519 square mile area being burned (roughly twice the size of Tokyo), as well as a 1.2 million square-mile wide smoke layer, effectively blocking out the sun at certain times in cities such as São Paulo, which is thousands of miles away from the bulk of the fires. Much of this is in relation to Brazilian farming tactics of burning forest land for large-scale cattle grazing and feed crops, a technique that has been increasingly relaxed under Brazils newest president, Jair Bolsonaro, who has simultaneously lowered the number of fines for illegal deforestation and mining.
ln alarming fashion, this lead to many celebrities and environmental activists taking to social media to share the news, highlighting the Amazons precious ability to generate a fifth of the worlds oxygen. Not only do the fires cause irreparable harm to the worlds oxygen supply, they also produce a number of health ramifications as both people and animals breath various chemicals via the smoke, which could take weeks (or even months) for the Earths atmosphere to absorb.
Actor and environmental activist Leonardo DiCaprio alongside his Earth Alliance non-profit has announced the forming of a new emergency Amazon Forest Fund, committing an initial $5 million USD to focus critical resources for indigenous communities and other local partners working to protect the life-sustaining biodiversity of the Amazon.
Last week it was revealed to many that the Amazon rainforest was burning at a record rate due to wildfires caused by humans. According to Business Insider, more than 9,500 new forest fires have started across Brazil in the forests basin since August 15, with scientists recording more than 74,000 fires throughout the country so far this year. That is roughly double the amount of 2018s 40,000 fires, marking an 83 percent increase compared to last year. The fires have gotten so bad that it led to Brazils largest state, Amazonas, effectively declaring a state of emergency last Monday.
The fires have ultimately led to a 519 square mile area being burned (roughly twice the size of Tokyo), as well as a 1.2 million square-mile wide smoke layer, effectively blocking out the sun at certain times in cities such as São Paulo, which is thousands of miles away from the bulk of the fires. Much of this is in relation to Brazilian farming tactics of burning forest land for large-scale cattle grazing and feed crops, a technique that has been increasingly relaxed under Brazils newest president, Jair Bolsonaro, who has simultaneously lowered the number of fines for illegal deforestation and mining.
ln alarming fashion, this lead to many celebrities and environmental activists taking to social media to share the news, highlighting the Amazons precious ability to generate a fifth of the worlds oxygen. Not only do the fires cause irreparable harm to the worlds oxygen supply, they also produce a number of health ramifications as both people and animals breath various chemicals via the smoke, which could take weeks (or even months) for the Earths atmosphere to absorb.