Amazon Rainforest Is Major Source Of Pollution

Contrary to popular opinion, the Amazon is a source of pollutants and greenhouse gases.

1 minute read

June 9, 2005, 12:00 PM PDT

By Brenda Meyer


"Far from cleaning up the atmosphere, the Amazon is now a major source for pollution. Rampant burning and deforestation, mostly at the hands of illegal loggers and of ranchers, release hundreds of millions of tons of carbon dioxide into the skies each year.

Brazil now ranks as one of the world's leading producers of greenhouse gases, thanks in large part to the Amazon, the source for up to two-thirds of the country's emissions."

Thanks to Brenda Meyer

Wednesday, June 8, 2005 in The Los Angeles Times

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