Rescuers Risk All to Save Animals from Fires! (Campo Grande/Corumbá - Mato Grosso do Sul)

🔥 In the face of intense environmental destruction, Paula stands as a beacon of hope. This video delves into the harrowing reality of Paula's tireless efforts to protect the Pantanal, one of the world’s largest wetlands, which is suffering severe fires and ecological damage. Between 1 January and 17 September 2024, fires devastated over 1.9 million hectares of the Pantanal. According to MapBiomas Águas, the biome's water surface has shrunk by 61% compared to historical averages, with only 2.6% of the area covered by water in 2023. Fires in 2020 caused the tragic loss of 17 million vertebrates, including 1.5 million birds, 458,000 primates, and 237,000 alligators - a heartbreaking toll that could repeat this year, as noted in the 2021 study “Wildfire in the Pantanal: Impacts and Management Challenges” by Tomas, W. Paula’s relentless efforts to save wildlife from the fires in the Pantanal shed light on a much larger crisis fuelled by industrial agriculture and livestock expansion. 📉 According to the Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Removals Estimation System (SEEG), agriculture alone contributes to 27% of Brazil’s greenhouse gas emissions. When combined with deforestation—which is responsible for an additional 48% of emissions, largely driven by agricultural activities—the total impact reaches a staggering 75% according to the National Institute for Space Research (INPE). Furthermore, MapBiomas reveals that 99% of the deforested areas in the Amazon by 2023 have been converted to farming. This data highlights the profound environmental impact of agriculture and its critical role in driving climate change. It’s essential for us to recognise and address the significant role that agricultural expansion plays in this global challenge. 🌍 Moreover, financial institutions play a critical role in perpetuating this destruction, and some numbers reportedly show that: Since 2013 over $201 billion was given as credit to Brazil’s livestock and soya sector (Forest and Finance), often linked to nature destruction. Between 2015 and early 2023, JBS—a corporation heavily tied to deforestation—secured $31,2 billion in credit from major financial institutions, including Barclays, the Royal Bank of Canada, and BMO Financial Group, according to Greenpeace International. Despite facing environmental embargoes and violations, destructive practices continue to receive financial backing. A notable example is Claudecy Oliveira Lemes, a farmer accused of illegal deforestation and chemical use, who received over R$10 million in rural credit, according to Greenpeace Brasil. Paula’s quote reflects the grim reality of her work: “Every rescue is 50/50, so I have a 50% chance of failure.” This statement highlights the immense challenges faced by those on the front lines of conservation. Her story underscores a sick joke of a system where greedy corporations profit from environmental destruction while resilient individuals like Paula fight against overwhelming odds. Tell global leaders to stop the money fuelling nature’s destruction: https://www.greenpeace.org/international/act/defund-nature-destruction-now/ #DefundNatureDestruction Greenpeace 2024