Celebrities Are Speaking Out in Response to Brazil's Amazon Rainforest Fires

Justin Kirkland
Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images

From Esquire

In Brazil, an inferno continues to tear through the Amazon rainforest, ravaging the ecosystem and the source of 20 percent of the Earth's oxygen. As the fires continue to grow, the blaze is gaining more and more attention, from international political leaders reaching out with pleas for greater attention to eco-focused celebrities helping to bring the story to the masses. Environments allege that the fires were started by humans, whether intentional or not. Nevertheless, the fires have created devastating damage, and are on track to decimate more acres of land in the days ahead.

Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research report that the Amazon has seen over an 80 percent increase in fires in the last year, with approximately 14 percent of this year's fires reported coming in within the last week. The European Union has even reported that the fires have gotten so extensive that they are now visible from space. The severity of the tragedy in the Amazon has prompted a slew of celebrities to reach out voicing their support and inquiring where donations can be sent to fight the blaze. Figures like Leonardo DiCaprio, Madonna, and Lil Nas X have hit social media to send their support and condolences.

While celebrity reaction can help move the dial, the pressure remains on Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who continues to be his own lightning rod for controversy. After alleging that the fires were started by NGOs, he recently chimed in to say that countries sending money were doing so to "interfere with [Brazil's] sovereignty," before saying that the country doesn't have the resources to fight the blaze on its own. One thing is certain though—independently or collectively, the world needs to fight the tragedy in Brazil before the damage is irreparable.

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#Regram #RG @rainforestalliance: The lungs of the Earth are in flames. 🔥 The Brazilian Amazon—home to 1 million Indigenous people and 3 million species—has been burning for more than two weeks straight. There have been 74,000 fires in the Brazilian Amazon since the beginning of this year—a staggering 84% increase over the same period last year (National Institute for Space Research, Brazil). Scientists and conservationists attribute the accelerating deforestation to President Jair Bolsonaro, who issued an open invitation to loggers and farmers to clear the land after taking office in January.⁣ ⁣ The largest rainforest in the world is a critical piece of the global climate solution. Without the Amazon, we cannot keep the Earth’s warming in check. ⁣ ⁣ The Amazon needs more than our prayers. So what can YOU do?⁣ ⁣ ✔ As an emergency response, donate to frontline Amazon groups working to defend the forest. ⁣ ✔ Consider becoming a regular supporter of the Rainforest Alliance’s community forestry initiatives across the world’s most vulnerable tropical forests, including the Amazon; this approach is by far the most effective defense against deforestation and natural forest fires, but it requires deep, long-term collaboration between the communities and the public and private sectors. ✔ Stay on top of this story and keep sharing posts, tagging news agencies and influencers. ⁣ ✔ Be a conscious consumer, taking care to support companies committed to responsible supply chains.⁣ Eliminate or reduce consumption of beef; cattle ranching is one of the primary drivers of Amazon deforestation. ✔ When election time comes, VOTE for leaders who understand the urgency of our climate crisis and are willing to take bold action—including strong governance and forward-thinking policy.⁣ ⁣ #RainforestAlliance #SaveTheAmazon #PrayForAmazonia #AmazonRainforest #ActOnClimate #ForestsResist #ClimateCrisis 📸: @mohsinkazmitakespictures / Windy.com

A post shared by Leonardo DiCaprio (@leonardodicaprio) on Aug 22, 2019 at 7:12am PDT

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The Fires Are Raging and The Amazonia continues to burn.........This is a devastation to Brazil—to the indigenous people who live there and the-plant and animal species that make this the most important bio-diverse Forest!!! President Bolsonaro please change your policies and help not only your country but the entire planet. No economic development is more important than protecting this land. 🙏🏼 we need to WAKE -UP!! The future of the rainforest affects the future of the world! 🌎🌏🌍 #prayforamazonia #amazonrainforest #brazil #wakeup

A post shared by Madonna (@madonna) on Aug 22, 2019 at 12:35pm PDT

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The AMAZON Rain FOREST IS ON FIRE THIS IS TERRIBLE IT’S ONE OF THE BIGGEST CARBON SINKS IN THE WORLD, Spread The Word. #theamazonrainforest

A post shared by Jaden Smith (@c.syresmith) on Aug 21, 2019 at 5:35am PDT

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this is truly crazy, the lack of coverage, care and respect for our mother

A post shared by Zoë Kravitz (@zoeisabellakravitz) on Aug 21, 2019 at 4:03pm PDT

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The lungs of our planet are currently on fire. The Amazon Rain forest produces 20% of our entire planets oxygen and it’s currently burning at a rate of 1.5 soccer fields a minute. Without vegetation to protect the land, scientist predict the rainforest will turn into a desert the likes of the Sahara. Think there is nothing you can do to help? Think again! Help buy land in the rain forest so that we can protect it even when the Brazilain government will not. These lands are being set on fire deliberately in order to clear lands for animal agriculture. Reducing your meat consumption is one action you can take on a personal level to lessen the need for more open lands. Visit @rainforesttrust to learn more. You can also reduce your paper/wood consumption or ensure you buy rainforest safe products. 🌳 🍃 Donate money to @amazonwatch for the fight against climate change or adopt a jungle animal through @wwf or @world_wildlife #amazon #amazonfire #amazonfires #rainforest #amazonrainforestfire #climatechange #brazil

A post shared by Bobby Berk (@bobbyberk) on Aug 22, 2019 at 7:46am PDT

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Don’t pray for Brazil or the Amazon. Pray for yourself . The amazon provides 20% of our oxygen every year and it’s burning at a record rate right now and for the past 18/19 days. This is a WORLD emergency and affects all of our security. Please post and tag @unitednations .

A post shared by Miguel (@miguel) on Aug 21, 2019 at 8:31am PDT


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