Almost 73,000 fires have been recorded in the Amazon rainforest this year — nearly double 2018's total of about 40,000 fires. It's a record high.
The fires come from humans — it's the time of the year when farmers use fire to clear land — but hot, dry conditions mean fires are spreading, and President Jair Bolsonaro is actively not trying to help.
The Amazon Rainforest creates 20% of the air we breath, holds 20% of the world's fresh water supply, and is thought to be home to 30% of the world's species. We must act now and fight climate change!
Below are six charities that work to help the Amazon rainforest and have received at least three out of four stars from Charity Navigator, a nonprofit that rates charities on their accountability and financial management.
Here are links to their websites, listed in alphabetical order:
Amazon Conservation Association
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For those who can read Portuguese, there's Brazil's National Institute for Space Research, which uses satellite imagery and records the number of wildfires. Otherwise, InfoAmazonia has a map showing fires that are burning in Brazil. Another feature it offers is a map that lets you compare your location with the Amazon deforestation.