Fires have always had a healthy place in ecosystems across the planet; they occur naturally in a process that ultimately creates more life in the long run.

But today, in the era of climate change, our relationship with and understanding of fire is changing. Now that more and more devastation is caused by humans, we have to recognize our role in these processes which can become harmful. 

The Amazon Rainforest is considered “the lungs of the earth” and the “heart pump of our global weather system” – it’s the world’s largest carbon dioxide sink, capturing up to 25% of the world’s CO2. Without the Amazon, the world’s atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations would go through the roof, which would massively speed up climate change. If the Amazon dies, every single country on the planet will feel its effects. The fires have already led to massive levels of rising carbon dioxide, which has left a lasting mark on the climate crisis.

The Amazon has been burning since early August (well over 900,000 hectares), and it’s become apparent that the fires are blazing at least in part due to human intervention (or lack thereof). It’s suspected that large agribusiness has effectively been given free reign under the rule of Brazil’s new President to clear the rainforest in order to make room for more industry. 

So we must ask ourselves as a species, what is the cost of business and is it really more important than our survival? 

Our very own eco educator, Cheyenne Bizon, joins Hal Eisner on FOX 11 News In Depth to discuss the Amazon, our climate, and the future of Los Angeles and beyond in the new normal of climate change: