Damaged Lungs
- Vardui Chtrkyan
- Nov 8
- 3 min read
By: Sanchana Sundararajan
The Amazon rainforest is often referred to as the lungs of our planet, holding over 390 billion trees and more than 10% of all known species on Earth. Yet, ironically, it is shrinking every single day, gasping for air as deforestation spreads. Deforestation is the large-scale clearing of forests, often through logging, burning or agriculture, where trees are removed faster than they can naturally grow. The deforestation of the Amazon rainforest matters to the entire planet because it accelerates climate change, destroys biodiversity, and threatens the survival of millions of people and species who depend on it.
One of the most serious consequences of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest is its impact on the global climate. Trees act as natural carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and helping to regulate the Earth’s temperature. When forests are cut down for agriculture, logging, or urban development, this stored carbon is released back into the atmosphere, intensifying the greenhouse effect and accelerating global warming. Scientists estimate that deforestation in the Amazon contributes billions of tons of carbon dioxide emissions every year. Scientists estimate that deforestation in the Amazon contributes billions of tons of carbon dioxide emissions every year (Stolte, 2021). The loss of trees also reduces rainfall in the region, which can lead to droughts, wildfires, and unpredictable weather patterns that affect not only South America but the entire planet. Rising sea levels, stronger storms, and shifting climate zones are just a few of the consequences, making the Earth less stable and threatening the survival of countless species, including humans.
Deforestation also poses a serious threat to the incredible biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest. This vast ecosystem is home to thousands of species of plants, animals, and insects, many of which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. As forests are cleared for farming, logging, or mining, countless species lose their habitats, making it difficult for them to survive. For example, jaguars, macaws, and countless amphibians rely on the dense forest for food, shelter, and breeding grounds. Once a species disappears, it can cause a domino effect, disrupting food chains and damaging ecosystems that support other life forms beyond repair. "Once a species disappears, it can cause a domino effect, disrupting food chains and damaging ecosystems that support other life forms beyond repair” (Green Earth, n.d). The loss of biodiversity in the Amazon not only affects the rainforest itself but also has global implications, as these species play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance, pollination, and even the discovery of new medicines.
Deforestation in the Amazon rainforest also has profound consequences for the millions of people who depend on it. Indigenous communities rely on the forest for food, medicine, and shelter, and the destruction of trees threatens their traditional ways of life. Beyond local populations, the loss of rainforest affects global water cycles, as trees play a key role in producing rainfall and maintaining soil moisture. Deforestation can lead to droughts, soil erosion, and reduced crop yields, which threaten food security worldwide."Deforestation can lead to droughts, soil erosion, and reduced crop yields, which threaten food security worldwide” (InfoAmazonia, 2022). Additionally, the Amazon contributes to air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen; losing this resource accelerates climate change and makes the planet less hospitable. Protecting the Amazon is therefore not just a regional concern. It is essential for the survival and well-being of people across the globe, both now and for future generations.
The Amazon rainforest is one of the most vital places on Earth. It helps control the climate, is home to thousands of species, and provides food and resources for millions of people. But deforestation is destroying it fast, which leads to global warming, loss of animals and plants, and problems for the people who depend on the forest. Protecting the Amazon is not just important for South America; it matters for everyone on the planet. If we want a healthy Earth now and for the future, we must take action to save it.
Works Cited
Chaves, L. (2022, December 21). Brazil was responsible for 70% of the CO2e emissions from deforestation in Pan-Amazonia over the last 35 years. InfoAmazonia. https://infoamazonia.org/en/2022/11/18/brazil-was-responsible-for-70-of-the-co2e-emissions-from-deforestation-in-pan-amazonia-over-the-last-35-years
Editor. (2024, December 9). Deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest: causes, effects, solutions. Deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest: causes, effects, solutions. https://www.green.earth/blog/deforestation-in-the-amazon-rainforest-causes-effects-solutions?
Study shows impacts of deforestation and forest burning on Amazon biodiversity. (n.d.). University of Arizona News. https://news.arizona.edu/news/study-shows-impacts-deforestation-and-forest-burning-amazon-biodiversity?
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