The latest figures come as concern grows over the administration of President Jair Bolsonaro, which environmentalists have accused of encouraging deforestation and emboldening those who want to exploit the forest for commercial gain.
Cut down on the amount of paper and wood products that you buy
Reduce your fossil fuel consumption
Data from Brazil’s National Space Research Institute suggests that as temperatures increase in the region, between 30 and 60 percent of the rain forest could turn into dry savanna, pushing the forest over this tipping point.
The burning of fossil fuels and the subsequent release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere is one of the primary drivers of climate change, scientists say. So wherever possible, try to cut down on your carbon emissions—for example take a bike to work instead of a car, choose green energy providers and switch off electrical appliances when you’re not using them.
Lower your beef consumption
Hold businesses accountable
Direct action has the power to transform how companies do business. In 1999, Home Depot—the single largest retailer of lumber in the world—agreed to phase out sales of old growth wood, or in other words, wood that comes from areas of forest which have developed over a long period of time and have not experienced significant disturbances, such as logging or fire. The company’s decision was largely the result of a campaign led by grassroots activists.
