[PRESS] Statement of the ATO - ClimatEducate Project Team on the Amazon Wildfire

Graphics by Javan Lev Poblador/ATO - ClimatEducate Project

The ATO - ClimatEducate Project is deeply saddened and alarmed by the devastating fires engulfing the Amazon Rainforest in South America, one of the planet’s remaining significant “carbon sinks”, and both a valuable ecosystem for endemic species in the region and of indigenous people. 
​

The devastating occurrence is a reflection of the world’s current deteriorating situation.
We express our concern for the health, safety, and overall well-being of the living beings in the South American continent. It is hard to comprehend how aside from natural fires, others can fathom to endanger many from the carbon emissions generated and deplete the entire planet’s oxygen by purposely burning its largest rainforest. We call for strong political will, the power of the people, and of the consuming public to urgently address this emergency – for the fires to stop, and to continually conserve and rehabilitate the Amazon Rainforest.


Conventional farming fuels the need for deforestation to make the land for agriculture. Everything has to change: the kind of food we eat, where our food comes from, and how our food is produced, including the technology required to meet our population’s needs. The carbon emissions generated at this weeks-long arson together with the depletion of our trees is certainly not helpful at cooling down our planet. The planet has a fever, but “one of its lungs is on fire”.  


In addition, the Amazon rainforest is home to vast world biodiversity. It is a natural space that, all other remaining forests, need to be preserved. It is in high hopes that the importance of the Amazon Rainforest will be realized and hence taken into consideration in the people’s actions from now on.  Although we also commend the progress on action as of the writing of this statement, we still urge the governments of Brazil, Bolivia, neighboring South American countries concerned, the United Nations and the global community to respond accordingly and rehabilitate one of the world’s last green frontiers. 

#StandForTheAmazon 
#SaveTheAmazonia 
#ClimatEducatePelaAmazônia
#LutarParaClima

Drafted and signed by the members and volunteers of
the ATO - ClimatEducate Project
26 August 2019