Is The Amazon The Lungs of the World? – Myths and Truths

You’ve certainly heard that the Amazon is the lungs of the world. Although it has been a belief for many years, it is not. The statement gained notoriety in 2019, the year in which major protests in favor of the preservation of the Amazon Forest took place around the world.

The oxygen produced by the Amazon is consumed by it. That is, the entire process of the biome of producing oxygen and capturing carbon dioxide, through photosynthesis, is for its own benefit. Furthermore, the term is misused, as the lung actually captures oxygen and eliminates carbon dioxide.

However, the Amazon not being the lungs of the world does not detract from its importance for the planet. The forest provides the preservation of the climatic balance in the regions, as well as the preservation of the ecosystem. Breathing and life in the forest must be conserved. Its absence would have a major negative impact on the environment and would be felt across all continents.

One of the responsibilities of this mature forest is the carbon balance. Currently, carbon is seen as one of the great villains in global warming, unbalancing the greenhouse effect. Therefore, the survival of the Amazon rainforest is essential.

In this post, we invite you to understand more about the production of oxygen and the importance of the Amazon in the exchange of greenhouse gases. You will read that the oceans are great producers of oxygen, including the oxygen you breathe. In addition, you will understand why they say that the Amazon is the lungs of the world and get to know REDDA+, to understand how it is involved in the movement for the preservation and conservation of the Tropical Forest.

In this post has:

• The Amazon rainforest as an oxygen producer
• The oceans as oxygen producers
• After all, is the Amazon the lungs of the world?
• Get to know REDDA

The Amazon rainforest as an oxygen producer

The Amazon forest is a producer of oxygen, however, different from what many think, it is not a significant production for the world. Production takes place for its own consumption, for the survival and balance of the forest’s biodiversity.

In other words, saying that the Amazon is the lungs of the world is not entirely correct.

Despite this, this oxygen dynamics in the forest is important to preserve natural events that influence our daily lives. For example, the rainy seasons. Through the relationships of air, wind, plants and animals, the forest manages to produce the largest flying river in the world. This phenomenon is vital for climate balance and optimal rainfall production.

The forest is also important to stop global warming. Click and understand the difference between the greenhouse effect and global warming.

Production

The production of oxygen in the Amazon amounts to about 16% of the planet’s oxygen. However, when compared to the production of oxygen in the oceans, the number drops to 9% to 6%, as the rest comes from the oceans.

In addition, oxygen is also consumed by trees through cellular respiration. In this way, they can feed even in seasons without sunlight. This contributes even more to the understanding that the Amazon is not the lungs of the world.

Consumption

The consumption of oxygen by the forest happens not only by the trees but also by the microbes. These microbes use oxygen to break down organic matter in the forest. Therefore, the amount of oxygen left to be shared with the world is practically zero.

However, the way the forest relates to oxygen and carbon dioxide defines it as an air conditioner for the planet. This is because the entire process of consumption of trees and living beings helps to cool the planet. This action is important to help stop global warming. Other tropical forests unite in this cooling force, such as forests in central Africa and Asia.

Self-consumption

The process of photosynthesis, in the Amazon rainforest, is important for the life of trees. It is the kidnapping of carbon dioxide for energy generation and the production of oxygen. This oxygen is consumed through the respiration of the trees, which will release carbon dioxide. Therefore, this cycle of oxygen and carbon dioxide is all for the forest.

Even if the oxygen is only for personal consumption, it is a process that maintains the balance of the forest. Thus conserving its survival and the way it relates to nature, causing important impacts, such as climate balance. Therefore, even if the Amazon Forest is not the lungs of the world, it is very important.

For example, the rainfall in many regions depends on this functioning there. The increase in fires impedes a natural process in the forest, directly impacting the production of rain. Click here and learn more about the flying rivers, important for the rainy season in Brazil and South America.

The oceans as oxygen producers

The planet’s production of oxygen, for the most part, depends on small beings that we tend to ignore. It is believed that more than half of the oxygen in the world comes from seaweed, also known as phytoplankton. These small aquatic organisms have been accumulating oxygen for billions of years and continuing to produce.

It is possible to affirm that the biggest producers of oxygen for the Earth are marine algae. Therefore, we need to take great care of our seas and oceans, preventing various pollutions, such as plastics and microplastics. Another problem faced by the oceans is rising water levels.

The negative impacts on the environment reach the oceans unbalancing aquatic life. For example, the oceans have experienced changes in water acidity, putting marine biodiversity and food chains at risk. These are problems that call attention to the need for changes in habits and behavior in relation to water. After all, they are responsible for the oxygen we breathe.

The oceans absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide and produce oxygen through algae. Algae produce more oxygen than they need, this excess is released into the waters. Oxygen arrives in the atmosphere and is used by living beings. In addition, the oceans are also very important for the regulation of the global climate.

Therefore, it is possible to say that the oceans play the role of the lungs of the world.

Currently, the oceans cover about 70% of the planet, there are five oceans:

• Atlantic Ocean;
• Pacific Ocean;
• Indian Ocean;
• Arctic Glacial Ocean;
• Antarctic Glacial Ocean.

After all, is the Amazon the lungs of the world?

No, the Amazon cannot be considered the lungs of the world, but the oceans. The exchange of gases present in the Amazon is essential for its own survival, however, its survival is essential for the planet. This is because the forest helps to cool the Earth and collaborates with climate balance.

In addition, the Amazon is responsible for one of the greatest biodiversity on the planet. All its natural wealth is important for the maintenance of life on Earth. It is a sum of factors that make possible a better quality of life in Brazil, in the continent, and in the world.

Despite not being the lungs of the world, it is necessary to remember that breathing in the forest keeps tons of carbon in its biomass. So, if the forest is cleared or burned, tons of carbon will be released into the atmosphere. Making the goal of reducing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere even more difficult.

Deforestation in the Amazon causes major impacts, it needs to be avoided and you can help.

Find out how REDDA+ and you can help preserve the Amazon

REDDA+ is an organization that proposes to have a sustainable look at Amazon. In addition to the forest, REDDA+ projects embrace social and economic relationships with the surroundings. These relationships will directly or indirectly influence the well-being of the Legal Amazon.

The accomplishment of sustainable projects is supported by the pillars of economic, social, and environmental development, through some mechanisms. These mechanisms are used by REDDA+ in order to contribute, in the best possible way, to the preservation and conservation of the Amazon.

Among them are REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation). REDD mechanisms address the effects of greenhouse gases. Helping with better precision regarding carbon offsetting and guiding a transparent carbon market. Through these mechanisms, it is possible to raise sustainable investments for the accomplishment of projects.

REDDA+ is also supported by the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals presented in the 2030 Agenda. The SDGs are guidelines for countries, companies, and people who wish to contribute in some ways to a better world. Each of the objectives was thought of independently, based on the main needs of society. However, they are somehow interconnected, since, as in a domino effect, one impacts the other.

The SDGs are important drivers for REDDA+ because they understand the need to connect all the pillars of sustainable development. Through these objectives, it becomes clearer to create sustainable city projects, such as the one being applied in Portel, Pará. Click here to learn more about REDDA+ projects.

How about watching some documentaries to get inspired by the nature preservation and conservation movement? Click here and check out a list of 15 unmissable documentaries about the environment.