There have been more than 72,000 fire outbreaks in Brazil so far this year, up 84% on the same period in 2018, according to the country’s National Institute for Space Research. More than half were in the Amazon. It followed reports that farmers were feeling emboldened to clear land for crop fields and cattle ranches because the new Brazilian government was keen to open up the region to economic activity. The Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro, instead accused environmental groups of starting fires.
Source: The Guardian
A lot of people took to social media to discuss this developing situation: the Amazon burns every year during the dry season, but this year there are 84% more fires! They are still trying to gain perspective.
African savannas are also burning; they’ve adapted to fires, but humans don’t help. It was reported (can’t see it in the map) that Siberia was on fire since May.
The truly disturbing part about the Amazon is the blantant disregard of the global environment for small, economic gains. Fires are having an impact, and it’s getting worse every year.