The "lungs of the planet" are struggling to breathe.
Sometimes called "the lungs of the planet", the Amazon Rainforest accounts for more than half of the planet’s remaining rainforest and is home to more than half the world's species of plants and animals. The Amazon Rainforest is experiencing one of the worst droughts in its recorded history, exacerbating a range of environmental and humanitarian crises.
The drought is intensifying various environmental and humanitarian crises. This year, rivers like the Madeira (which is crucial for transportation and livelihoods in the region) have hit record lows. The drought has stranded boats, reduced fish stocks, and left thousands of people without access to clean water. Indigenous communities, who depend on the rivers and forest for sustenance, are particularly vulnerable. Meanwhile, animals and plant life are facing mass die-offs, with wildfires ravaging large swathes of the forest due to the exceptionally dry conditions.
Compounding this is that 20% of the Amazon rainforest has already been destroyed. Rapid deforestation is driven primarily by illegal logging, mining, and land clearing for agriculture. Recent research indicates that as deforestation advances, the forest becomes less resilient to drought and fire, accelerating a dangerous feedback loop that threatens the ecosystem. Scientists warn that the Amazon is fast approaching a tipping point, where it could transform from a carbon sink into a carbon source, further fuelling global climate change.
This year’s drought is especially severe due to both local and global factors, including El Niño, which has reduced rainfall significantly. Trees that would normally release moisture into the atmosphere through transpiration are removed, reducing rainfall even further.
As we reflect on these challenges, we are reminded of the Fifth Mark of Mission: “To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth.” The Amazon is a sacred part of God’s creation, and its health is essential for maintaining global climate stability. As stewards of the Earth, we are called to act and pray for the protection of this vital ecosystem.
To understand the scale of deforestation for yourself, see check out Global Forest Watch's interactive dashboard.
We pray for an end to the severe drought gripping the Amazon, that rainfall would return, replenishing rivers and ecosystems.
We pray for indigenous communities affected by the drought, deforestation, and wildfires, that they may receive the support and resources needed to survive and adapt.
We pray for the protection of the Amazon rainforest, that illegal deforestation activities would be stopped, and restoration efforts would be strengthened.
We pray for governments and organisations working to address these challenges, asking for wisdom, courage, and the political will to take meaningful action for climate justice.