After weeks of semi-indifference, the international community is finally considering actions to stop the fires currently ravaging the Amazon rainforest. On Sunday, French president Emmanuel Macron said G7 leaders are working to create an international mobilisation mechanism.
Hopefully this leads to some concrete solutions - at the moment, we can only hope that floods fall upon the so-called lungs of the world.
However, politicians and corporations are no the only ones who can make a change. Everyone can actively help the Amazon, either by donating or by taking action. Some suggestions below...
Although one is never advised to blindly donate their hard-earned cash, there are ways to check your money is heading to legitimate associations.
The American site Charity Navigator is a good place to start - it evaluates the work of charity associations and offers a list of recognised and reliable programmes, often directly collaborating with indigenous people concerned.
Among the top rated charities are the Amazon conservation association, the Rainforest trust, the Rainforest Action network, and WeForest.
To finance the planting of more trees, there are multiple solutions:
Deforestation has several causes, but primarily, the forests are being destroyed to allow space for cattle farming or soybean cultivation.
Romulo Batista, a Greenpeace researcher, said Brazil is the largest exporter of beef and soy, with cattle farming driving deforestation in the Amazon. Over 65% of deforested land is currently being grazed.
Although China is the primary client, Europe is not far behind, buying Brazilian soybeans for animal feed. These are primarily used for industrial poultry or pork farms.
In short, one way to minimise support for this ecological aberration is to reduce consumption of Brazilian beef and European poultry or pork. Thankfully carnivores in Luxembourg are spoiled with plentiful sources of local meat.
Our supermarket trolleys are filled with products originating from deforestation in the Amazon: not just Brazilian meat, but also cosmetics, furniture, wood, paper...
The website Rainforest Alliance lists companies that respect the ecosystems. Each is supported by the frog logo, meaning the company is certified by the Rainforest Alliance.
A paradox of modern society - although Luxembourg and neighbouring countries are covered in forests, much of the timber used is imported, while the local sector is under-exploited. Oak, beech, poplar - if you can, use furniture made from local wood, and support the Luxembourg timber industry which is sorely in need of it!
