Since the beginning of 2019, Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research has reported 72,843 fires in the country, with more than half of these being seen in the Amazon region. Huge fires have been blazing through the Brazilian rainforest this week. The fires spell disaster for the local environment and ecology .

With the Amazon wildfires burning and amidst speculation that humans should take some of the blame for the catastrophe, celebrities have begun to use their huge power on the internet to reach people.

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#Regram #RG @IamNickRose: Terrifying to think that the Amazon is the largest rain forest on the planet, creating 20% of the earth’s oxygen, basically the lungs of the world, has been on fire and burning for the last 16 days running, with literally NO media coverage whatsoever! Why?

A post shared by Leonardo DiCaprio (@leonardodicaprio) on Aug 21, 2019 at 12:11pm PDT

Leonardo DiCaprio shared images from Rainforest Alliance and the Rainforest Trust on his Instagram with information on the fires and ways his followers can help take action against it.

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#Regram #RG @rainforestalliance: The lungs of the Earth are in flames. ? The Brazilian Amazon—home to 1 million Indigenous people and 3 million species—has been burning for more than two weeks straight. There have been 74,000 fires in the Brazilian Amazon since the beginning of this year—a staggering 84% increase over the same period last year (National Institute for Space Research, Brazil). Scientists and conservationists attribute the accelerating deforestation to President Jair Bolsonaro, who issued an open invitation to loggers and farmers to clear the land after taking office in January.? ? The largest rainforest in the world is a critical piece of the global climate solution. Without the Amazon, we cannot keep the Earth’s warming in check. ? ? The Amazon needs more than our prayers. So what can YOU do?? ? ? As an emergency response, donate to frontline Amazon groups working to defend the forest. ? ? Consider becoming a regular supporter of the Rainforest Alliance’s community forestry initiatives across the world’s most vulnerable tropical forests, including the Amazon; this approach is by far the most effective defense against deforestation and natural forest fires, but it requires deep, long-term collaboration between the communities and the public and private sectors. ? Stay on top of this story and keep sharing posts, tagging news agencies and influencers. ? ? Be a conscious consumer, taking care to support companies committed to responsible supply chains.? Eliminate or reduce consumption of beef; cattle ranching is one of the primary drivers of Amazon deforestation. ? When election time comes, VOTE for leaders who understand the urgency of our climate crisis and are willing to take bold action—including strong governance and forward-thinking policy.? ? #RainforestAlliance #SaveTheAmazon #PrayForAmazonia #AmazonRainforest #ActOnClimate #ForestsResist #ClimateCrisis ?: @mohsinkazmitakespictures / Windy.com

A post shared by Leonardo DiCaprio (@leonardodicaprio) on Aug 22, 2019 at 7:12am PDT

The post goes on to suggest some ways in which we can help to protect the Amazon.

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#Regram #RG @rainforesttrust Fires are a major issue for our rainforests and our planet. These fires are intensified by many factors, including the climate crisis and deforestation. Loss of habitat through illegal logging and development exacerbates the intensity and duration of these fires, helping to create situations like the one in the Brazilian Amazon today.? .? Wondering what you can do to help?? .? 1. Keep informed about the situation. Sites like Global Forest Watch Fires (http://fires.globalforestwatch.org/home/) provide valuable information about the fires going on right now.? .? 2. Share your passion for the rainforest with your friends. Educate others about this issue and why it is so important.? .? 3. Try changing your daily habits to be more environmentally friendly. Purchasing environmentally-friendly products and reducing or reusing paper is a great way to start!.? .? 4. If you can, make your voice for the environment heard in your local and national elections.? .? 5. Support organizations like Rainforest Trust. While we can't help stop these particular fires, our work to prevent deforestation helps stop fires like this from happening again. .? .? .? .? #amazonfires #amazon #rainforest #wildlife #nature #deforestation #saveacres

A post shared by Leonardo DiCaprio (@leonardodicaprio) on Aug 22, 2019 at 1:33pm PDT