Amazon rainforest, Brazil

© Claus Meyer/plainpictur

Getting lost in the mist. Amazon rainforest, Brazil

Fresh air, lush foliage, rustling leaves and the calls of thousands of species of animals and birds—welcome to the Amazon rainforest. Covering over 5,438,000 square kilometres, this ecological treasure in South America extends its branches across nine nations—Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname and Venezuela.

Today, the Amazon has over 30 million human inhabitants, but it also carries the secrets of lost civilisations, hinting at the existence of prehistoric humans. Earlier this year, archaeologists discovered an extensive network of cities here dating back 2,500 years. The Amazon's delicate balance is, however, under threat. Rampant deforestation has peeled away 20% of its cover, jeopardising both local and global climates. This forest, housing an estimated 390 billion trees from 16,000 different species, has a critical cooling effect on the planet thanks to the amount of carbon dioxide that it absorbs and stores. So, let's renew our commitment to protecting these vital ecosystems by learning, sharing and taking action. For in their survival lies ours.