The Amazon wild fires are becoming very much talked about due to the huge damage they are causing to the Amazon forests which are believed to be the lungs of the world. The Amazon forests being the producers of more than 20% of the worlds oxygen, grants all of us an important role in the ecosystem In addition, they are the worlds most diverse rainforest. This means they are consistent of a very diverse fauna and flora

Unfortunately, most of the fires are human induced and they have been believed to have been going on for a long time now. Many researches have disclosed that these fires are started by local people especially farmers and game ranchers. The main purposes for starting these fires include wanting to clear areas for farming and also for rearing cattle. The forests are also cleared for infrastructure developments.

This has led to massive loss of vegetation, wildlife, habitats and generally biodiversity. A loss in animal species’ habitat causes a threat to species survival and could lead to extinction of the specie. Because of the loss of certain plants that certain animals feed on, there is a disruption in the transfer of energy on different trophic levels in a food chain or food web. Another effect of these fires is the smoke from them causes a strain on the ozone layer contributing to issues of global warming and consequently climate change.

If these fires do not get stopped, scientists fear we’ll be heading toward a tripping point called a die back scenario where the forests enter an irreversible cycle of collapse.

Some suggestions of how these fires can be put to a stop are strict monitors in the area. Punishments for people caught illegally starting fires must be stiffened. Very strict laws and policies with regards to human activity around the Amazon area must be enforced and introduced. There should be very good support to farmers to shun away from the farming technique of slashing and burning which will keep them away from the burning techniques.

Programmes of educating and sensitising the local people on the importance of the forests should be initiated to increase on literacy levels. Additionally, tree planting programs should be conducted frequently in areas previously infested with fires ensuring members of the surrounding communities participate. If members of the community can participate in reaforestation programs, it is the best way to have people's participation in forest conservation and build responsibility. 

Stakeholders across the world including technocrats, international organisations as well as other states must sit together with policy makers in charge of all parts of the Amazon to influence and help shape policies that will protect the Amazon, our global heritage. 

Finally, i feel  there must be stronger fire detection techniques backed up with good fire fighting technologies that will be able to detect small fires and provide instant suppression measures before they can turn into mega fires which are most likely hard to suppress.

This way, we can have the Earth's lungs healthy and fully functional again.