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International Pressure Grows To Stop Amazon Wildfires

Brendan O'Loughlin
Brendan O'Loughlin

02:39 23 Aug 2019


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Climate change activists have stormed the Brazilian Embassy in Dublin demanding a stop to wildfires in the Amazon.

In the last week, thousands of fires - some deliberate - have taken hold in the rainforest.

Known as "the world's lungs", the Amazon produces 20% of all oxygen on Earth.

The Taoiseach says Ireland will vote against South America trading with EU countries unless it makes a real effort to stop the flames.

There has been a surge in wildfires in the Amazon since Brazil's new President took over in January.

Experts fear rainforest is being deliberately burnt after the right-wing leader said the region should be developed.

Almost 10,000 wildfires have been counted in the rainforest since Thursday.

The record-breaking fires are threatening the region’s Indigenous communities and millions of plants and animals.

Amazon Wildfires "Started Deliberately"

Environmentalists are warning there could be global consequences if wildfires continue to ravage the Amazonian rainforest.

Chris Moye, an expert on environmental abuse,  said some fires are being started deliberately to make space for farming.

He suspects "many of these farmers that are burning the Amazon" have been encouraged to do so.

The Taoiseach has told South America he'll try and block it from trading with EU countries unless it stops the fires.

Leo Varadkar said he is "very concerned that this year has seen record levels of destruction of Amazonian forests by fire".

"There is no way we can tell Irish and European farmers to use fewer pesticides, less fertilizer, embrace biodiversity and plant more of their land and expect them to do it, if we do not make trade deals contingent on decent environmental, labour and product standards", he said.

A number of charities and other groups are trying to raise money to help fight back against the fires.

If you want to help, you could consider making a donation to the Amazon Conservation Association, Amazon Conservation Team or Amazon Watch.

Follow @98FM on Twitter for the latest Dublin news


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