Fueling the Fire: The Importance of the Amazon Rainforest
High on a tower overlooking the lush Amazon canopy, Gisele Bundchen and Brazilian climate scientist Antonio Nobre talk about the importance of the rainforest and the impact of cutting down its trees.
The Role of the Amazon Rainforest
As Nobre explains, the rainforest is not only home to an incredible diversity of species, it also has a critical cooling effect on the planet because its trees channel heat high into the atmosphere. In addition, forests absorb and store carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere—CO2 that is released back into the atmosphere when trees are cut and burned.
Nobre warns that if deforestation continues at current levels, we are headed for disaster. The Amazon region could become drier and drier, unable to support healthy habitats or croplands.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The preservation of the Amazon rainforest is closely linked to several of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These goals include:
- Goal 13: Climate Action – Protecting the rainforest helps mitigate climate change by reducing carbon emissions and preserving biodiversity.
- Goal 15: Life on Land – The Amazon rainforest is home to countless species, and its preservation is crucial for maintaining biodiversity and protecting ecosystems.
- Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – The rainforest plays a vital role in regulating the water cycle, ensuring the availability of fresh water resources.
Take Action for the Amazon
It is essential to take immediate action to protect the Amazon rainforest and achieve the SDGs. This can be done through:
- Implementing sustainable land-use practices that prioritize conservation and reforestation.
- Reducing deforestation rates by promoting alternative economic activities that do not rely on clearing land for agriculture or logging.
- Supporting indigenous communities and their rights to land and resources, as they play a crucial role in the preservation of the rainforest.
By working towards these goals, we can ensure the long-term survival of the Amazon rainforest and contribute to a more sustainable future for our planet.
Watch “Fueling the Fire” on National Geographic
Find more of this story in the “Fueling the Fire” episode of the National Geographic Channel’s Years of Living Dangerously series.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.2: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.6: Promote fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources and promote appropriate access to such resources | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.9: By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies, and accounts | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.c: Enhance global support for efforts to combat poaching and trafficking of protected species, including by increasing the capacity of local communities to pursue sustainable livelihood opportunities | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
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Fuente: education.nationalgeographic.org
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