Shop sustainably
Many of the products we buy are grown in a way that harms the rainforest, its inhabitants and the unique wildlife it supports. To make your shopping habits as rainforest-friendly as possible, try to pick products that contain one or more of the following labels: Fairtrade, organic, Rainforest Alliance, FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil). All of these schemes support responsible forestry and food production.
Invest wisely
Switching to ethical banks and pension schemes can play a role in protecting the Amazon. Your choices can help redirect investments away from deforestation-linked activities towards more sustainable initiatives. This means there’s more financial support for responsible forestry, and sends a strong signal to corporations while driving positive environmental change. Check out the Make My Money Matter campaign to learn more and join the call for pension providers to go green.
Eat less meat
Vast expanses of the Amazon are being cleared to make way for the livestock sector. The issue is not so much with the animals or pasture, but in the extensive cultivation of soy for animal feed. By adopting a more plant-based diet, we can reduce demand for livestock farming, curbing deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions. Our guide to choosing the right plant-based diet has plenty of tips on how to enjoy a meat-free diet that’s good for you and the planet.
Learn more, and talk about it
The more we know about the Amazon – and the reasons behind its destruction – the more we can help spread the word about the issues and the action we need to take. Explore the WWF website, read articles and follow relevant social media profiles. Share your new-found knowledge, and don’t shy away from raising the topic with friends and family – by spreading awareness and talking to people, you can help inspire collective action.
Listen to Indigenous peoples
To fully understand the threats faced by the Amazon, we must listen to the voices of Indigenous peoples. They’ve lived there sustainably for thousands of years as guardians of the rainforest (find out more in our short film), and fully understand the intricate relationship between people and the natural world. Bringing together conservation science and ancestral wisdom is vital for safeguarding the forests, ensuring its rich biodiversity and Indigenous cultures are protected for generations to come.
Make a difference every day
Download the My Footprint app to discover more ways to reduce your environmental impact
More to explore
“To defend the Amazon is to defend life”
Climate activist Txai Suruí’s inspiring speech to world leaders at COP26 shone a spotlight on the crisis facing the Amazon. She also spoke on our Call of the Wild podcast about how we can all defend nature
