Forest fires have consumed large tracts of land in the Amazon.
The rainforest has been called the “lungs of the Earth” and world leaders are watching with frustration, including Emanuel Macron of France as he gets set to host a meeting of the G7.
Our house is burning. Literally. The Amazon rain forest – the lungs which produces 20% of our planet’s oxygen – is on fire. It is an international crisis. Members of the G7 Summit, let's discuss this emergency first order in two days! #ActForTheAmazon pic.twitter.com/dogOJj9big
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) August 22, 2019
The fires have been linked to policy decisions led by Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.
Retired political scientist Steve Tomblin says efforts to open the rain forest to development are what appear to be behind the fires, which can be seen from satellite.
The fires are pushed by beef production and development and the impacts according to Tomblin are “horrific.”
He says there doesn’t appear to be anything that can be done to stop it.
The President of Brazil should not be in a position to make decisions that have such a dramatic impact not only on Brazil, but the entire world, says Tomblin.
