More than 74,000 fires have been recorded in the Brazilian Amazon this year. Here's why that's a big deal.
Aug 24, 2019, 09:55 IST
- As of August 20, more than 74,000 fires have been recorded across the Brazilian Amazon.
- That's nearly double the total number of fires in 2018.
- Environmental groups blame Brazil's president, Jair Bolsonaro, who has indicated that protecting the rainforest is not a priority.
- They say Bolsonaro has emboldened ranchers and farmers to set fire to forests to acquire more land, now with impunity.
- Scientists warn that the results may be devastating. They say the Amazon is near a tipping point, beyond which the forest could turn into a dry savannah.
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.