The Amazon rainforest is burning, John — and these fires will have consequences for all of us, not just those in Brazil.

Source: AP

Illegal deforestation has surged in the Amazon. This rapid deforestation has contributed to an increase in felled timber, which is usually burned. These fires are hard to contain and often spread to untouched areas of the Amazon rainforest. In August, the rainforest was ravaged by the highest number of fires in five years, and that’s including another record year for illegal fires in 2019.

This is a crisis that concerns the global community, John. The Amazon rainforest is one of our most important “carbon sinks” — a natural way for the world to absorb human-produced carbon. These fires release a staggering amount of carbon into the air. The fires are accelerating climate change while simultaneously incapacitating one of our most critical defenses against carbon output. There’s a reason the Amazon rainforest is called the “Earth’s lungs.”

Putting a stop to the extreme deforestation of this area, holding world leaders accountable for letting illegal deforestation get out of hand, and innovating new ways to absorb carbon are all top priorities for SEEC members. They know that without healthy and functional “lungs,” our Earth doesn’t stand a chance.

They cannot fight this crisis without you, John. All 81 SEEC members are facing re-election this year, and without them in Congress, consistently advocating to make climate change and minimizing carbon output a priority, we could be looking at a radically different climate agenda next year. Contribute now to support SEEC members’ advocacy for the Amazon →

Thanks for your support, John.

— SEEC PAC