Save the Rainforest

The Amazon rainforest in Brazil has now been on fire for well over 2 weeks. The BBC notes the area is home to approximately 3 million species of plants and animals and 1 million indigenous people. The fires are incredibly important to raise awareness to because of the different levels of both media and political power that have attempted to quiet the issue. Firstly, the fires had not gained any real media exposure until this week, sparking criticism that the contrast from the coverage of Notre Dame’s fire earlier this year to this event show where society’s values lie, with financial interests. Secondly, the Brazilian government, particularly President Jair Bolsanaro are being heavily blamed and criticized for their unabashed support of deforestation by way of fire. The president was quoted by Reuters as saying, “I used to be called Captain Chainsaw. Now I am Nero, setting the Amazon aflame.” On top of this, Brazil’s environment minister, Ricardo Salles, has been blaming the fires on a dry season, though data shows there has only been slightly less rainfall in Brazil this year, and even he, himself, acknowledged that at least some were likely set intentionally.

Posters can be a powerful tool for drawing attention to political and environmental issues, and that’s what Andrew’s hoping for with his “Save My Rainforest” poster.

For more information on the fires, we recommend these sources we used for research: CNN, The Guardian, The BBC