Why does the Amazon ignite and what will the damage be …

Environmental experts have revealed to Page 12 the severity of wildfires in the Amazon
. "The reduction of forests is very worrying. We are losing a moisture reservoir this plays a fundamental role in regulating the rainfall regime and its variability in the region. All our countries will feel the changeswe are compromising the future of our children and grandchildren, "said Pedro Silva Dias, professor and researcher at the University of São Paulo. "Our authorities refuse to see this reality."

In the same vein, José Marengo, meteorologist and general coordinator of research and development of the National Center for Natural Disaster Surveillance and Warning in Brazil (Brazil), said that "the fires are out of controlthey have become a cultural problem. Bolsonaro's environmental actions follow Trump's program. The president's hatred of scientists and environmental NGOs is profound. They accuse these organizations of having set fire in the jungle, the Minister of Environment lives on the defensive. "

Cause of fire

The Amazon is the the largest tropical forest on the planet (It covers seven million square kilometers and includes nine countries) and has about 400 billion trees of the most varied sizes and types. The "lung of the world" is on fire and the bad news is that the Brazilian government is intensifying its suffocation by ignoring environmental problems. Bolsonaro cuts budget for action against climate change by 95% and, according to the National Institute for Space Research (INPE, for its acronym in Portuguese), they are already 73,000 burned households registered so far in 2019.

Literally, the burning and deforestation of the Amazon is likely to be the worst in history. Because? From the beginning of its management, the big landowners have the approval of the president to burn the wooded areas and to sweep the present biodiversity. Five states saw a notable increase in fires: Mato Grosso do Sul (260%), Rondonia (198%), Para (188%), Acre (176%) and Rio de Janeiro (176%). Currently, the corridor crosses several regions of the country (Midwest, Southeast and South) that have declared their emergency situation by environmental alert and is progressing at a rapid pace in Argentina, Uruguay, Peru and Bolivia. .

Impact on the environment

The burning and deforestation of the jungle decrease the flow of "flying rivers" – mbadive aerial water flows in the form of steam – responsible for much of the rains generated on the mainland. "In San Pablo, it rained black water because the winds carried all that smoked to our city. This causes serious drawbacks of pollution and respiratory obstructions in the population. It's very good to see how the authorities turn their backs and call the scientists sensationalists, "said Marengo.

From this perspective, the role played by the forest in relation to the hydrological cycle is also affected. "Some of the rain is generated by the moisture transported from the Atlantic Ocean and combines with the evapotranspiration of the forests. Then, when it rains in the region, the flying rivers bring this moisture of the Amazon to the south. If all the flora disappears and temperatures rise, a relentless water crisis could occur, "warns the specialist.

Who are responsible

"Governments have always had bad environmental interventions. What is happening now is a notorious aggressiveness, they do not like the idea of ​​monitoring fires. Impress their interest in having real data on what's really happening, "says Silva Dias. What means even more, is that the government has decided to call on an American company to replace the functions of the INPE: "It does not go through my head, I do not understand because it's a matter of national interest. INPE has the competence and is internationally recognized, its techniques have been used and certified in other countries. Regardless of the scientific quality of what we do, it is always best if it comes from the outside. The government is not interested in our human capabilities to produce technological products and that's a problem, "says Silva.

Like any environmental conflict, the reasons must be deepened in politics. The productivist mandate works wonders with the short-term protection and protection of natural resources and the biodiversity of the ecoregion become consumable. Meanwhile, for the hegemonic media, some disasters matter more than others. Our Lady had more repercussions and media coverage than the hell of the Amazon. And it's not a matter of comparing conflict to measure what hurts the most. This is rather related to an educational process: they have learned to value the West. A West, white, European, civilized. And in the process of colonization, they also learned to forget about theirs.

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