Forest fires in the Amazon: Leonardo DiCaprio gives $ 5 million to help

Alliance for the Earth Leonardo DiCaprio, the Alliance for the Protection of the Earth, has allocated $ 5 million to fight the worsening fires in the Amazon rainforest.

Earth Islands will provide funding to local authorities and indigenous communities working to protect the Amazon.

According to the National Institute of Space Research of Brazil, more than 72,000 fires have erupted in the Amazon rainforest this year.

This represents a significant increase from 40,000 fires last year.

"The destruction of the Amazon rainforest is rapidly spreading carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and destroying an ecosystem that absorbs millions of tonnes of carbon each year, which is one of the best defenses on the planet against the climate crisis, "says a statement posted on the Earth's website. .

The foundation has received funding from several scientific institutes.

The increase in forest fires is due to the increased rate of deforestation for livestock.

Brazilian President Yair Bolsonaro has been criticized for encouraging the destruction of the Amazon by taking no action on the environment.

Bolsonaro, skeptical about climate change, accuses nongovernmental organizations of burning his government, but provides no evidence to support this claim.

Earth Allianz was founded in July by Leonardo DiCaprio, in collaboration with two other philanthropists, to protect wildlife, promote climate justice and protect indigenous rights.

The Amazon Forest Fund is a collective initiative to raise funds to protect this particular region.

"He is deeply concerned by the ongoing crisis in the Amazon region, which highlights the delicate balance between climate, biodiversity and the security of indigenous peoples," said the star in an article posted on Instagram Saturday. .

DiCaprio encourages community participation and support in dealing with the crisis by creating links through which donations can be made.

At the same time, reports indicate that international leaders at the Group of Seven summit in Biarritz, France, have reached agreement on international assistance to cope with the crisis.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Britain would provide £ 10 million to protect the Amazon rainforest.

Fires are common in Amazonian forests during the dry season, which extends from July to October. Fires can be caused by nature, such as during lightning strikes, but they can also be caused by farmers and loggers who have firewood to prepare land for new crops or pastures.

Other countries affected by fires

A number of countries in the Amazon Basin, which extends over an area of ​​7.4 million square kilometers, have seen an increase in the number of fires this year.

The second largest number of fires went to Venezuela, which recorded more than 26,000 fires, followed by Bolivia in third place with more than 17,000 fires.

The Bolivian government has chartered a plane to put out fires in the east of the country. The fires lasted about six square kilometers in forests and pastures.

The government has also pushed more rescuers into the area and is working to create sanctuaries for fleeing animals.