These 2.1 million square miles of trees produce more than six per cent of the planet’s oxygen and are a critical absorber of carbon dioxide.
Which is why everyone should be alarmed by our special report today on the fires destroying this precious environment.
Brazil may be thousands of miles away but what happens there has ramifications far beyond its doorstep.
Preserving the rainforest is vital if we are to prevent a further rise in global warning that will lead to higher sea levels, mass migration and severe weather patterns.
It is especially troubling that Brazil’s hard- line president, Jair Bolsonaro, is indifferent to the damage taking place.
He has turned a blind eye to illegal land grabs, tried to deny the fires are happening and rejected offers of help.
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As we reveal, the devastation is real and alarming.
The future of the planet is in the hands of Mr Bolsonaro. The international community must not let him escape from his duty to act.
Fess up, Boris
Boris Johnson is as arrogant as he is incompetent.
You would have thought that if you deceived the Queen and were found to have broken the law this would be a moment for some humility.
Instead the Prime Minister put up a brazen defence based on half-truths and twisted facts.
He claimed the High Court in England had backed his decision to suspend Parliament.
It did nothing of the sort. It said it was not in a position to rule on the matter.
The PM has lied once and lied again. In
the process, he is taking voters for fools and demeaning his office.
Duck and dive
OLYMPIC hero Tom Daley has signed up his son Robbie for extra swimming lessons.
You would have thought he’d take to it like a duck to water.
