The Amazon is thelargest tropical rainforest in the world and produces one-fifth of the planet'soxygen. It is often called the "lungs of the world", as more than 20percent of the world's oxygen is produced in the Amazon rainforest. There is nodoubt that it plays a major role in reducing or preventing global warming.
The Amazon forestplays an important environmental role as a giant water engine. It releaseswater into the atmosphere and rivers. In fact, the weather systems are largelydetermined by currents of ocean that transport warm water from the equator tothe polar regions, while cold water moves in the opposite direction. Withoutthese currents, the temperatures will take a more extreme turn than they aretoday.
So, the burningof this tropical rainforest means this vital contribution to Earth's climateequilibrium will reduce, and this in turn will lead to further warming, droughtand climate change around the world. I believe that this is a real crisis foreveryone and it does not matter if you live in Kuwait or Brazil or anywhere inthe world. The issue is important for everyone because it threatens human,animal and plant life and the future of the planet.
Since thebeginning of this year, these forests have been exposed to more than 75,000fires, a record increase of 84 percent over the fires that broke out in theseforests last year. European leaders have expressed concerns. French PresidentEmmanuel Macron stated the fires are an international emergency. British PrimeMinister Boris Johnson also said he was very concerned about the potentiallycatastrophic impact of the loss of a large number of trees on the environment.German Chancellor Angela Merkel described the fires as a serious emergency thatwould have an impact far beyond Brazil. That is a reason for all countries tosupport Brazil to overcome this crisis and prevent its recurrence in thefuture.
The fires haveplunged the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo into total darkness in the afternoonand many organisms have died, whether by being suffocated or burned by fires.The globe will be severely affected in the coming years if this matter is notaddress properly and the real reasons behind their occurrence are not found.
I think that thisenvironmental crisis may turn into a political one because there is a tradeagreement at stake between the European Union and the South American bloc ofArgentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay, and the occurrence of fires now mayaffect the ratification of the agreement as a number of heads of Europeangroups have expressed concerns. But these countries have the potential to helpBrazil cope with issue this to ensure greater environmental protection.
There are also anumber of media statements and reports about climate change and advocacy bygeological engineering techniques or so-called climate engineering. It aims toincrease the amount of solar radiation reflected in space, but is not yet clearto all and some worry that it may lead to more drought and higher levels of carbondioxide in the atmosphere.
Some environmentgroups worry about a possible overlap of the interests of business, politicsand industrial companies in this matter and exploitation to achieve interestsunrelated to the climate. I believe that this issue calls for global attention,to be addressed in all its aspects. United Nations organizations and Europeancountries must take the initiative to ensure the protection of the environment.I believe that the Arab world needs to raise awareness of the issue ofenvironmental protection because it does not affect one country, but the entireplanet and survival. Brazil needs full support now.
By Muna Al-Fuzai
Munakuwaittimes.net