For all of us keeping an eye on the horrific fires that are burning down large swaths of the Amazon rainforest, it’s easy to feel absolutely powerless. After all, there’s basically no way to stop the fires yourself without hopping on a plane and flying to Brazil with a firehose. With that said, the people over at Fast Company have compiled quite a few things you can do to help the rainforest, which may not be as satisfying as dousing flames but can have a long-lasting impact. Here are 9 of them.
1. Protect an acre of rainforest through the Rainforest Action Network.
2. Help buy land in the rainforest through the Rainforest Trust.
3. Support the rainforest’s indigenous populations with Amazon Watch.
4. Reduce your paper and wood consumption or buy rainforest safe products through the Rainforest Alliance.
5. Support arts, science, and other projects that raise awareness about the Amazon through the Amazon Aid Foundation.
6. Help protect animals living in the jungle with WWF.
7. Reduce your beef consumption. Rainforest beef is typically found in fast-food hamburgers or processed beef products.
8. Make your voice heard by signing a petition.
9. If you’re in a position to help protect the rainforest on a macroscale, Foreign Policy argues that one of the most powerful tools for protecting the region is to work with businesses rather than against them. They suggest that trade, distribution, and financing deals that are dependent on protecting the rainforest and sustainability can be a boon to the planet and to Brazilians who depend on the rainforest for their livelihoods.
