THE FALL OF THE AMAZON

INTRODUCTION

For this project, we were tasked with creating a hypothetical museum exhibit covering any topic of our choice. The exhibit I chose was about the deforestation of the Amazon and how it affects the environment and the people and animals that reside there. This exhibit is set to be at an imaginary museum called "One Planet" which focuses on different parts of the earth and all the different cultures. It advocates for stopping climate change, peace, and all coming together.

I took inspiration from researching the long-term effects and short-term effects of deforestation and how this will affect the different species and tribes there. For those who don't entirely know large-scale deforestation of the Amazon rainforest has been happening as early as the 1960s.  Deforestation is second only to the burning of fossil fuels as a source of greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change and because the Amazon absorbs more greenhouse gases than any other tropical rainforest, its destruction releases dangerous amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The Amazon has an estimated population of 30 million with 400 Indigenous groups(this includes around 100 of the world's last uncontacted tribes). Several Indigenous groups, like the Awá, have been displaced or seen their territory encroached upon by illegal deforestation. Deforestation and conservation policies affect the millions of city dwellers, farmers, ranchers, rubber tappers, and Indigenous people who call the Amazon home. With 5,000+  species, the Amazon is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. The forest's plants and animals sustain livelihoods and inform scientific research. But deforestation threatens this ecosystem. Researchers say the continued destruction of the rainforest puts more than ten thousand species of Amazonian plants and animals at risk of extinction.

For more information on deforestation of the Amazon visit: https://www.cfr.org/amazon-deforestation/#/en/section4

THE EXHIBIT

The Book

A book highlighting the exhibit taking place at the hypothetical 'One Planet Museum'.