Imagine waking up to a world where the air is thick and heavy, where every breath feels labored, as if the Earth itself is struggling to inhale. Picture rivers running dry, and skies once alive with the calls of macaws and howler monkeys now silent. This is not a dystopian fantasy — it is the path we are on if we fail to protect the Amazon.
The Amazon rainforest is a vast, breathing ecosystem that sustains life far beyond its borders. But it is under siege. Every minute, an area the size of 10 soccer fields is destroyed. If deforestation continues, we risk reaching a tipping point — where the Amazon can no longer regenerate but instead transitions from lush rainforest to arid savanna, triggering catastrophic consequences for global climate stability.
And at the center of this battle is Brazil.
Why Brazil is the Epicenter of the Climate Fight
Brazil isn’t just another country on the map — it’s the beating heart of Earth’s life support system. It is home to 60% of the Amazon rainforest, making it the most critical player in the fight to protect this global lifeline. But the Amazon is more than just trees — it is a complex web of life, culture, and global climate regulation.
The Amazon serves as one of the world’s largest carbon sinks, and in the 1990s it absorbed around 2 billion tons of CO₂ every year acting as a natural buffer against climate change. But with forests being cleared or burned, that stored carbon is being released, accelerating global warming.
The rainforest also generates its own rainfall, with its trees emitting water vapor that creates vast “flying rivers” in the atmosphere through a process called evapotranspiration. To put the importance of this process into perspective, within 24 hours, one tree can release enough water to fill 10 bathtubs. These moisture channels are vital for keeping farms and cities across South America hydrated — without them, droughts can become more frequent and severe.
On top of that, the Amazon is both culturally and biologically diverse. It is home to 10% of all known species, including rare wildlife like jaguars and pink river dolphins. More than 40 million people live in the Amazon, including around 400 Indigenous groups and local communities whose cultures, livelihoods, and histories are deeply tied to the forest. These communities are proven stewards of the land — where their rights are recognized, deforestation rates drop dramatically. Yet, they are under constant threat from illegal loggers, miners, and land grabbers.
Brazil’s Progress — And the Path Forward
Brazil’s leadership is crucial in the global fight against the climate crisis. In recent years, deforestation soared due to weakened environmental protections. However, since 2023, the Brazilian government has made encouraging strides, pledging to end illegal deforestation by 2030. These promises are important — but they need to be backed by global action and accountability.
But promises alone won’t stop the crisis. Without global intervention, beef and soy exports, which drive deforestation, will continue to fuel destruction. That’s why our Protect the Amazon campaign is mobilizing governments, corporations, and individuals to secure $1 billionto protect and restore the Amazon by supporting Indigenous and local-led efforts to safeguard these vital ecosystems. The time for half-measures is over — the Amazon needs action, not just pledges.
Beyond the Amazon: Why Brazil’s Other Biomes Are Vital Too
While the Amazon may be the world’s most iconic rainforest, Brazil is home to a rich tapestry of other vital ecosystems that are also important for global climate and biodiversity.
The Cerrado, often called Brazil’s “upside-down forest” due to its deep-rooted vegetation, plays a critical role in storing underground carbon, burying around five times more CO₂ within its roots and soil than above ground. Yet, it's disappearing fast — deforestation has recently increased in the Cerrado — to make way for soy plantations and cattle ranches, threatening its unique biodiversity and freshwater sources.
Teeming with life, the Pantanal is the planet’s largest tropical wetland — a vital, vibrant ecosystem. But in 2020, it faced devastating fires that scorched 30% of the biome. Fueled by climate change, these fires burned with 40% more intensity than usual, offering a stark and urgent warning of the cost of inaction.
Then there’s the Atlantic Forest, once a lush expanse stretching along Brazil’s coast, now reduced less than 15% of its original coverage due to urbanization and agriculture. Despite this, it offers a powerful symbol of hope: targeted restoration projects are showing that with the right investment and political will, nature can rebound. Together, these biomes form an essential part of Earth’s life-support system — each one worth protecting.
COP30: A Turning Point for the Amazon and the World
In 2025, Brazil will host COP30 in Belém, a city at the gates of the Amazon. This global climate summit is a defining opportunity for world leaders to deliver bold, historic commitments, including a global pact to end deforestation by 2030, a timeline for fossil fuel phase-out, and meaningful financial support for the communities most affected by climate change.
The Amazon is not just Brazil’s to protect — it responsibility lies with all of us. Its survival is tied to our own. If we fail, we risk unraveling the very systems that keep our planet alive. But if we act now — if we invest, protect, and transition — we can rewrite the future. This is our moment to Protect the Amazon. Will you join us?