Lincoln University ecologist, Dr Jon Sullivan, is highlighting the climate change impact of the release of carbon into the atmosphere from the devastating Amazon forest fires.
Speaking to RNZ, he said Brazil, like most countries, is trying to make ends meet and keep its economy growing.
"Just like New Zealand has done in its past as well, the forest gets cleared to make way for agriculture.
"The main way the people are clearing forests is to burn it off.
"This is the worst time for this to be happening too.
"Forests are made of carbon, 90-140 billion metric tonnes of carbon are locked up in the Amazon basin forest - the world does not want to be releasing carbon into the air right now."
The article states that according to the WWF, deforestation caused by cattle ranching is responsible for the release of 340 million tons of carbon each year – 3.4 per cent of the current global emissions.
Dr Sullivan told RNZ the rainforest itself is nothing short of amazing.
"It's called the lungs of the world because it makes about a fifth of the world's oxygen.
"A fifth is a pretty large portion to be coming out of one part of the world's forest."
He says aside from producing oxygen, the tropical rainforest is home to one in 10 species of animals and plants on the earth.
"It's the largest area of tropical rainforest that we have, and tropical rainforests are off the charts with biodiversity."
Dr Sullivan teaches in Lincoln's Bachelor of Science degree. The degree’s Conservation and Ecology major focuses on students giving the practical skills, experience, and industry connections to contribute to ecological and conservation activities of government and private agencies in New Zealand and beyond.
Lincoln has one of the most experienced groups of ecological researchers in a New Zealand university. Expertise in conservation and ecology includes wildlife biology, entomology, plant ecology, urban ecology, restoration ecology, biosecurity, evolutionary biology, vertebrate and invertebrate pest management, and weed management.
Read more here: http://www.lincoln.ac.nz/study/Qualifications/Qualification/?QualCode=b.science&major=consecol
Dr Sullivan was quoted in this article: https://www.rnz.co.nz/programmes/the-detail/story/2018710426/anti-environmental-policies-blamed-for-amazon-fires
Fire image: AFP / Greenpeace / Victor Moriyama
