'ENOUGH RAINFOREST TO FILL 30 FOOTBALL PITCHES DESTROYED EVERY MINUTE LAST YEAR' - The Independent 2019
'13x THE SIZE OF NEW YORK CITY LOST BETWEEN AUGUST 2020 AND JULY 2021' - The Guardian 2021
'27% OF THE FOREST GONE BY 2030' - WWF
These are not headlines that we should have to get used to.
Humans. You and I. Did you know we take on average 20,000 breaths every day. This would be pretty hard without our lungs wouldn't it, and I'm not talking about the organs in your body.
The Amazon rainforest otherwise known as the lungs of planet earth and home to millions of flora and fauna species, has lost 17% of its trees, habitats and beauty.
Why? Deforestation.
The world is now getting to the point of irreparable damage with global temperatures rising to fatal levels. But don't worry it won't affect us...WRONG. It already is.
We could put all the blame onto President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil. I mean deforestation rates have increased by 92% since his election. But, shockingly, his ignorance isn't the only thing fuelling the forests destruction.
With over 420 species of mammal in the Amazon rain forest, you'd be surprised if I said one species has started to dominate them all. Well, in order for Brazil to export ¢6 billion worth of beef, cattle ranching now accounts for 80% of deforestation. Not only does beef consumption chop down trees it also equates to one cow being slaughtered every 8 seconds, approximately.
30 football pitches a second
One, innocent, cow slaughtered every either seconds
'But it's not just meat eaters fault, vegans are to blame too', I hear you cry.
Yes, eight million tonnes of soy are exported annually but, as stated by Greenpeace in 2020, only 6% of the worlds soy grown is eaten by humans. The rest is grown to be shipped all over the world and fed to livestock. So vegans aren't the planet eaters you thought.
With millions and millions, if not billions, of trees cut down the world is left to heat up, quickly.
Tree facts:
Trees not only give us oxygen to breathe, but they give back water to the atmosphere enabling it to rain more often and keep global temperatures cooler.
The Amazon rainforest stores up to 120 million metric tonnes of carbon. Imagine that all being released for a steak dinner!
Why am I going on about this? Well, its kind of a big deal and also the reality behind Re-Educating Earthlings first picture book, ' Will Mr. Sloth save his home? '.
Not only highlighting what the main cause of Amazonian deforestation is, this book will shine a light on the species at risk of losing their homes and show children how team work and bravery can solve any issue (most of the time).
The importance of incorporating and respecting indigenous knowledge is also included in the book as the long historical connection these people have with their natural surroundings is frequently over ruled and forgotten.
A little update:
"Will Mr.Sloth save his home?' is currently being illustrated and brought to life and a collaboration with an awesome charity will be revealed very soon...
Peace out, Earthlings x
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