UNITED NATIONS, Aug 25 (NNN-Prensa Latina) — The widespread and voracious fires in the Amazonia are currently unleashing global alarm and, according to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, this is an environmental tragedy that cannot be allowed to happen.
In the midst of the current climate crisis, it is unacceptable that one of the great sources of oxygen and biodiversity is being damaged, said the top United Nations representative on several occasions this week.
The Amazonia must be protected, he said, and he called for greater efforts to preserve that ‘lung of the world.
According to estimates, as of Aug. 20, more than 500,000 hectares would have been consumed in 16 days of fire in the Amazonian jungle.
Similarly, large areas of forest in Paraguay and Bolivia have also been burned.
The satellite images captured more than 72,800 fires in the Amazonian region of Brazil between January and August of this year.
In addition, the effects of fire extend far beyond burned areas and smoke, aerosols and particles in the atmosphere reach several countries.
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro accused nongovernmental and civil society organizations of starting fires in the rainforest after the government cut funding, although he presented no evidence.
The international community, Brazilian society and environmentalists around the world have criticized this attitude, accusing the president of indolence and lack of interest in environmental issues.
According to The New York Times, deforestation in the Amazonia has increased rapidly since Bolsonaro came to power in January 2019 and his government cut back on efforts against illegal activities in the rainforest.
The Amazonian rainforest is considered one of the planet’s most important natural resources and plays a fundamental role in absorbing carbon dioxide.
But the biodiversity lost by the fires that are occurring today will take decades to recover, agree experts, who estimate that some species may even take centuries to do so. — NNN-PRENSA LATINA