It should come as no surprise at this point that the Amazon Rainforest is in dire straits and has been for quite some time now. However, things appear to be at their most bleak. Currently, throughout South America, most notably Brazil, the Amazon Rainforest has been ragingly consumed with record number fires coursing through the landscape.
As of the writing of this article, NASA and NOAA satellites are showing an 83% increase in the Amazon from this time this year. It is nearly impossible to pinpoint when these fires began; but what we do know is that since January 1st of 2019, there has been 74,000 fires. Most of which have begun in the past two weeks. 9,500 since August 15th.
While there is a multitude of reasons and variables for the outbreak; there has been one constant that most are pointing the finger of blame at, and it is Brazil’s President, Jair Bolsonaro. Many consider his encouragement of logging and burning landscape for industrial and agricultural expansion to be the driving force behind this hellish nightmare.
Conservationists further feel that this has also encouraged farmers to illegally start their fires to clear land for cattle farming. This has turned more problematic as Brazil has become the world’s largest exporter of cattle. Nearly 200 million heads are estimated to be owned by Brazilian farmers.
If you would like to know more about this topic, I encourage you to research the facts for yourself and conclude your own opinions. I can only relay my research on the very long and complex history of deforestation and the Brazilian government. Fortunately, there are things that you can kind of sort of help. One of these is partaking in an initiative started by my friends at the Cachaça producer Novo Fogo.
Anyone familiar with the Novo Fogo line knows that the team there are not just staunch supporters of basic human rights; but also support the cultural and historical bond between cachaça and Brazilian wood. Because of this, Novo Fogo has made a commitment to conservation efforts to help protect and nourish the land around them in Morretes.
One such effort is their Un-Endangered Forest and 10,000 TREES programs. Through this program, Novo Fogo hopes to restore a parcel of the Atlantic Rainforest by planting endangered native trees. Since its injunction, it has become a beacon for sourcing seeds and saplings of native species and habitat restoration. This is done by fostering the growth of these plants and trees in Novo’s nursery and with the help of local partnerships, replant in Morretes and the surrounding area and in time, nationwide.
To help with this endeavor; Novo Fogo has enlisted the help of forestry expert, Dr. Silvia Ziller. Dr. Ziller holds an MS in Silviculture and a Ph.D. in Nature Conservation. In addition; she is the Executive Director of Horus Institute for Environmental Conservation and Development and has spent the past 20 years of her career working in Invasive Species Management.
If you would like to contribute to the cause, Novo Fogo makes it easy. On their website, you can purchase their Caipirinha t-shirt for $25 here. The shirt is rainforest green and lists the very complex recipe for making Brazil’s native drink. If you do decide to purchase this shirt; the proceeds go to funding the 10,000 TREES Program.
DISCLAIMER
Aside from being a fan of the brand, I have NO AFFILIATION with Novo Fogo. I am sharing this information because this is something that aligns with my values. Regardless of personal belief or political association, there is no reason for everyone not to take conservation and habitat restoration seriously. While I do believe that all things come to an end; that end shouldn’t come from corporate greed. Besides, what is the worse that could happen with flourishing wildlife and fresh air?
