Dear Hari,

To compare the Amazon to a "lung" that produces "20% of oxygen" that we breathe is misleading and reductive. The real "lung of the planet" is rather the oceans. The Amazon is, however, of paramount importance for biodiversity and climate regulation of the American continent. "The lungs of the planet are on fire", can we read, everywhere on social networks. "The Amazon, the lung of our planet, produces 20% of our oxygen," even Emmanuel Macron tweeted. Hundreds of fires nibble the Amazon for several weeks. This environmental drama is partly due to drought, but especially to deforestation, encouraged by the Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro. In particular, fires are caused by slash-and-burn clearings used to convert forest areas into crop and livestock areas or to clear already deforested areas. All over the world, activists are mobilizing, and the health of the Amazon, which has sparked an early diplomatic crisis between France and Brazil, has been invited among the topics on the menu at the summit of the G7 Biarritz . But perhaps it would be necessary to find a metaphor more suitable than "lung of the planet", to evoke this complex ecosystem, which produces oxygen, retains greenhouse gases and shelters an unequaled biodiversity. Most scientists agree that the Amazon produces between 5 and 10% of our oxygen. No more. On Twitter, Jonathan Foley, director of the Institute of Environment at the University of Minnesota (USA) explains that his calculations allow him to arrive "at most at 6%, probably less".

Regards

Bachir ACHOUR

I agree@ Dr. Bachir Achour Yes of course, that produce 20% of oxygen in Earth.

What about the loss of life and biodiversity in the Amazon rain forests if unprotected from the all-consuming fire?

Even the 20% is a lot because should it be tampered with the reaction would be quite adverse.

Obianuju P. Umeji