This report tracks air pollution across key regions of the Amazon, revealing how fires related to agricultural activity, in particular cattle pastures and deforestation, are degrading air quality, threatening public health, and accelerating climate and biodiversity crises.
Drawing on new publicly available air quality measurements from the Brazilian Amazon and using satellite monitoring, the report finds a clear rise in particulate matter air pollution (PM2.5), particularly near zones of intensive agriculture and forest burning. Communities living closest to these agricultural fronts are breathing hazardous air during several months of the year, with particulate matter levels exceeding major global cities and WHO health guidelines. This is a problem driven by human actions; fires in the Amazon region do not naturally occur, they tend to be intentionally set and are generally illegal.
The analysis shows that what was once considered a “clean air” region is now facing fire smoke contamination that contributes to air pollution worse than that reported for major urban areas. This pollution is not only damaging human health but also, through deforestation, it weakens the forest’s ability to store carbon and regulate rainfall, compounding global climate risks.
The findings confirm that agricultural activity and expansion in the Amazon is driving an air pollution crisis alongside deforestation. Current regulatory oversight and enforcement related to illegal fires remain weak, allowing companies to externalize pollution costs onto communities and ecosystems.
The implementation of global commitments to end deforestation is urgently needed, and actors linked to illegal fires must be held accountable. This is needed not only for the protection of forests themselves, but also for the protection of human health and to safeguard Indigenous Peoples and local communities who are on the frontlines of the impacts of the fires.
With concerted action, we can ensure thriving forests and a healthy environment for future generations.
Download the report:
Toxic Skies – How Agribusiness is Choking the Amazon
This report was updated on 5 November at 10.40 CET to correct the legend of Figures 9 and 10. The circle in these figures shows a 50 km radius, not 300 km.
Discussion
What’s going on in Amazon is shocking and depressingly sad. Let’s keep talking about it and also keep fighting for nature and environment all over our planet.
The constant fires in the Amazon region must be stopped immediately, otherwise our global climate will collapse. Climate change will become our greatest enemy if effective measures are not taken immediately. Health comes before profit.
Save our planet.
We never down our voice against these industries who were indulge in making profit without care of environment.
Die Menschheit wacht erst auf wenn es zu spät ist.
full support
Stiamo uccidendo la nostra madre terra con tutte le sue creature ed è la cosa più stupida e terribile che l'uomo abbia mai fatto!
Save the Amazonas, save the planet. Stop the Meat and Dairy Industri from cooking the planet. Think of all rhe trees, plants and animals. We do need them.
I find myself becoming angry that these companies put profit over their fellow man and they obviously don't care what they're doing to the planet. It seems as long as they're ok then that's ok but it's not!
The Brazilian Government could stop this if it chose to, the world watches and political leaders remain silent. Burning our way to extinction.
Name and shame these companies who are destroying the amazon for the sake of their own greed.
Companies are a disgrace killing the Amazon. Are they stupid or something? What happens in the Amazon affects the World. Greed sloth avarice are wrong. Wake up, look at the bigger picture, as well as the local one. STOP what you are doing NOW. You might give everyone and everything a chance to live.
Destruction of nature means destruction of our planet and must be avoided by all means!
Destruction of nature means destruction of our planet and must be avoided by all means!
Please listen to what greenpeace are saying
With Trump and others saying there’s no such thing as climate change, what chance have the people got of anything happening?
Usualmproblem… big companies who don’t give a damn about climate change. As long as they make a profit ….. that’s all that matters to them!!!
STOP THE FIRES
work to together
We need a strong policy to save amazon forest 🌏
Save amazon forest save future 🌎
Every tree has the right to live, as much or more than a human does. We have no right to burn forests for our taste buds. Climate change will destroy this planet. Many parts of the world are suffering already.
Sono pessimista perché dato come va adesso il mondo penso che alle grandi potenze non interessi questo enorme problema del resto lo stiamo vedendo da anni. L'uomo distruggerà la flora poi la fauna e poi se stesso peccato che non sia il primo a scomparire se lo meriterebbe tantissimo.
Its so Devastating that it makes me cry,why people destroy our Planet,dont understand:((
Please Respect The Amazon Forest , Because this is Laung of the your House .
El ansia de dinero está destruyendo lo mas importante: la naturaleza, la que nos da la vida. Es una carrera suicida al exterminio. ¿Qué quedará después?. La locura del pobre hombre loco.
Above all, it is a greed-driven ruthless and careless business model and priorities that drives the global environmental crisis abd, in this case, amazonian déforestation. The externalization of costs to maximize profit margins for distant shareholders drives this ruthless, violent, irresponsible, destructive business model. Everything must be done to pressure our governments, business leaders and civil society leaders to put our common long-term interests first. People and Planet first.
I agree we must protect & save the Amazon. Individual trees are worth saving - never mind a whole forest. Big Ag should be aware by now of the damage they cause - it is sheer greed to carry on with the knowledge. How can we teach them to be more responsible - duty as a citizen & moral stand for the Earth should take priority over shareholders. People who own share are usually better off than indigenous people, so can afford to get lower profits.
It's well over time that businesses started putting people and the planet before money and profit.
They probably would burn till there is nothing left if it weren't for Greenpeace. How hopeless is that. We have to sustain it not doom it.
There has never been a more crucial time for the people in power to stop this madness, because we have run out of time. Burning the Amazon to grow crops just to feed all the intensively farmed animals is insane. Areas of crops grown for animal feed could be used to grow enough crops to feed the whole world's population with nutritious food. A plant-based diet must be promoted and adopted throughout the western world. Just this one move could stop climate change in it's tracks. Thank you Greenpeace for all your hard work and for never giving up trying to save this beautiful planet and everything that lives on it.
hardly to believe what is going on there
What is happening in the Amazon is a disgrace.
Save the forest,not destruct.
It's time to wake up and take action,this is destroying the lungs of our planet.