The Amazon is the world’s largest rainforest, known as the lungs of the planet for its role in absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen. The billions of trees hold a vast amount of carbon, accumulated over hundreds and even thousands of years. The leaves absorb a huge quantity of carbon dioxide and put oxygen back in the air, all helping slow the pace of global warming. The Amazon also generates rain for agriculture across South America and is home to millions of plants, animals and people. But there is even more at stake than you think because when forests burn, carbon is released in the form of CO2 which adds to carbon levels in the atmosphere. Scientists predict we could reach a tipping point where the Amazon will no longer be able to soak up and store so much carbon, which means it will end up in the atmosphere. This could be a disaster when it comes to climate change.
