Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio's environmental initiative called Earth Alliance has pledged $5 million towards the preservation of the Amazon rain forest following the wildfires. The new organization's emergency Amazon Forest Fund is working to support local partners and indigenous communities in their efforts to protect the sensitive habitats within the Amazon, reports variety.com.

The funds will be donated to five local organizations. According to the fund's website, more than 72,000 fires have been reported by Brazil's National Institute for Space Research (INPE) - a sharp growth from 2018's 40,000 fires, which can largely be attributed to an unprecedented surge in deforestation by cattle operations and feed crops.
 

 

 

 

 

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The Amazon desperately needs our help. Whether you are a philanthropist, an organization, or an individual, please help donate to the @EarthAlliance Amazon Forest Fund to help the local partners and indigenous communities protecting the Amazon, the wildlife that lives there, and the health of the planet overall. 100% of the proceeds go to local organizations. Preventing these fires requires protecting the forests, so help Earth Alliance fight deforestation in the Amazon rainforest. If you cannot contribute, follow @EarthAlliance and help spread the word so we can continue to generate action and change. We hope you will join us however you can. Get involved and donate at ealliance.org/amazonfund (#linkinbio)

A post shared by Leonardo DiCaprio (@leonardodicaprio) on Aug 26, 2019 at 1:52pm PDT

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The Amazon rainforest burning from above, captured just two days ago by Brazilian photographer @VictorMoriyama on an overflight with @greenpeacebrasil. Now is the time to take action. Help support the @EarthAlliance Amazon Forest Fund. Please visit ealliance.org/amazonfund (link in bio) for more information and to donate.

A post shared by Leonardo DiCaprio (@leonardodicaprio) on Aug 26, 2019 at 5:29pm PDT

The alarming wildfires have also sparked widespread outrage online, prompting a number of celebrities to use their social media platforms to raise awareness. "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," DiCaprio had written on Instagram.

 

 

 

 

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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

Founded in July by DiCaprio, Laurene Powell Jobs and Brian Sheth, Earth Alliance is a climate change organization led by an independent management team of scientists and conservationists, working to protect ecosystems and wildlife, ensure climate justice, support renewable energy and secure indigenous rights.

(Source: IANS/Instagram)