Tip the Amazon Rainforest into the green

Backing people to protect rainforest is more important than ever.

Asháninka forest gardens among swathes of Amazon rainforest.

Evidence suggests that the Amazon is losing its resilience, its ability to bounce back due to exploitation and increasing climate pressures ^[1]Boulton, C.A., Lenton, T.M. & Boers, N. Pronounced loss of Amazon rainforest resilience since the early 2000s. Nat. Clim. Chang., 2022 DOI: 10.1038/s41558-022-01287-8.

A healthy Amazon isn’t just what the millions of people that live there need, it’s what all of us need. What happens in rainforest affects us all.

Read on and remember, there is still time left.

The problem.

A 2022 study examined high resolution satellite images to assess and monitor vegetation changes in the Amazon over the past two decades. It was discovered that since the year 2,000, 75% of the rainforest has struggled to recover from stresses like fire and drought.

Scientists suggest rainforest dieback is likely, resulting in significant biodiversity loss and a potential huge shift in habitat type – rainforest transformed to grassland.  This dieback escalates the climate crisis as carbon sinks become carbon emitters as trees break down.

The combination of a heating planet, drier conditions and land exploitation has put immense pressure on rainforest. The wider impact of this is not yet clear. What is clear however, is that changing rainforest is affecting the people in our partnerships now.

We may not know if the Amazon has reached this tipping point until it is too late, so now more than ever, the time to act is now.

The solution.

Imagine a world of abundance, of fresh air, clean water, food and medicine. A climate that sustains all life, everywhere. Now stop dreaming.

The study suggested reducing forest loss in areas that are closely inhabited by people will benefit the surrounding forest and the wider rainforest as a whole. A positive domino effect that helps rainforest to stay strong and resilient – exactly the kind of work we do.

We believe the most effective way to fight this is by backing, supporting and listening to people who live in rainforest who have the best track record of protecting it.

Our work supporting indigenous peoples and local communities tackles the root causes of deforestation with a range of projects that ease pressure and create opportunity.

If you were waiting for a time to drive this kind of climate action, this is it.

Donate now