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🌿 The Amazon: Not the Planet’s Lungs, but a Climate Pillar

We often hear the Amazon called “the lungs of the planet.”
But in reality, it is not our main source of oxygen.

Every day, the Amazon produces huge amounts of oxygen through photosynthesis…
But it also consumes nearly the same amount through plant and microbial respiration.
📌 Its net oxygen balance is close to zero.

So why is it so vital?
👉 Because it is one of the world’s largest carbon sinks.

📉 What the Amazon absorbs — or releases

In the past, the Amazon absorbed up to 2 billion tons of CO₂ per year — about 5% of global emissions.
Today, this role is rapidly shrinking, due to:
- Deforestation
- Fires
- Drought and climate stress

➡️ Some parts of the forest now emit more CO₂ than they absorb.
➡️ Overall, it still absorbs about 1 billion tons of CO₂ per year.

That’s the equivalent of:

Japan’s total annual emissions,
Or half of France’s.

⛔ What we risk if we lose it

The collapse of one of the last major carbon sinks
The release of hundreds of billions of tons of CO₂ stored in trees and soil
A sharp acceleration of global warming
The breakdown of the continental water cycle across South America
Global consequences: agricultural crises, forced migrations, water stress

🌱 Protecting the Amazon is protecting balance

Every standing tree is one more chance to avoid the tipping point.
Amazonie Vivante is doing its part.
You can do yours too.

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