If we don't care about the Amazon forest, what are you worried about? By: Frank Landman 80% of all animals and plants on land live in forests. Yet since 1970, 22% of the Amazon forest (a forest almost the size of Australia) has disappeared. Since Bolsonaro came to power in Brazil in January 2019, 10,476 km2 have disappeared between August 2020 and July 2021. (13 times New York City). Source: Imazon Satellite data even shows 13,235 km2 of loss in this period (17 times NYC). Source: INPE Bolsonaro has cut enforcement budgets, forgiven fines for illegal deforestation and reversed laws restricting logging. In the first quarter of 2022, 69% more deforestation in the Amazon forest was done than the year before. It seems that the Glasgow summit (agreement: stop deforestation in 2030) will result in an acceleration of deforestation! At the moment, an area of 27 football fields is being lost to deforestation every minute in the world. Why should we care about the Amazon forest? -About 20% percent of the oxygen on earth comes from the Amazon forest -There is an enormous biodiversity. There are about 16,000 tree species, 2.5 million species of insects, 40,000 plant species, 430 mammals, 1300 bird species, 380 reptiles, 400 amphibians and 3000 fish. Essential for life on Earth -The forest regulates water far beyond the forest. The forest ensures in the dry season (4 months a year) that there is always rain, so that it does not dry out -Research shows that humans get a better immune system by living in forests -It provides huge CO2 storage. -It has an invaluable cultural heritage including 1000 different languages -The indigenous tribes have a hugely important role in the preservation of the Amazon forest. They regulate ecological values However: -Deforestation due to livestock farming is increasing due to higher demand (China and US largest consumers) -Deforestation due to cultivation of soy, palm oil, cocoa is rising. (NL largest importer of the EU) -Due to deforestation and fires, the Amazon forest now emits more CO2 than it absorbs -The temperature in the forest has now risen 1.2 degrees -There are more and more (gold) mining activities, in areas of indigenous peoples, there is more and more slavery -The dry season has already become longer and there are more and more forest fires -With only about 5% deforestation, the forest will lose its regulatory function of water and a savannah landscape will be created, this desiccation will result in enormous CO2 emissions At least 6 SDGs are served magnificently by the Amazon forest! But do we want to learn from this nature, innovations that take place through evolution, do we understand the essence of the enormous CO2 storage, do we see the function of the 6,700 km long freshwater river, do we understand that biodiversity is not intended as a beautiful picture in a photo but is essential for the survival of life. Collective leadership required!