The Amazon 3,629,293,216 mT of CO 2 Equivalents
Congo Basin 914,684,712 mT of CO 2 Equivalents
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Saving the World ’ s Three Largest Rainforests
We all depend on the world ’ s rainforests for their invisible , almost magical , powers to absorb carbon dioxide and release the life-sustaining oxygen we require to survive on Earth . Literally the lungs of our planet , rainforests maintain an interdependent , symbiotic relationship with all life on Earth — including ours .
Today , the rainforests — and millions of species that call them home — are depending on us for protection from continuing degradation . New data shows that rainforests , and the species living in them , may soon be facing extinction if we do not curb deforestation .
The Amazon
The CO 2 equivalent of 782,001,024 passenger vehicles driven for one year stored here
The Amazon is the largest , most biologically diverse rainforest in the world — and home to at least 3 million species . New data shows that the Amazon is approaching its tipping point , with more than 75 % of the untouched forest losing stability since the early 2000s . This decreasing resilience signals a huge risk of degradation unless steps are taken now to halt deforestation and slow global climate change .
When our current projects with local partner CEDIA are complete , Rainforest Trust will have helped safeguard approximately 15 million acres and locked up more than 4 billion metric tons of CO 2 equivalents in the Peruvian Amazon . These acres include establishing the Sierra del Divisor National Park , and titling land with hundreds of Indigenous communities . In addition , 36 Endangered or Vulnerable species make their homes here , including the Giant Brazilian Otter ( EN ) and the White-bellied Spider Monkey ( EN ).
LEFT : OVERFLIGHT IMAGE BY CEDIA ; CENTER : FISHING VILLAGE BY ABC EKOLO YA BONOBO ; RIGHT : RAINFOREST IN TAINAN TAIWAN BY CHEN HSI FU / SHUTTERSTOCK