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Is the Amazon Rainforest disappearing? - Anna Rothschild

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2,278 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

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As of 2022, humans have deforested 17% of the Amazon, and scientists warn that we may be approaching a tipping point. It’s like removing bricks from a house: take a few and the house remains standing; remove too many and the whole thing will collapse. So, what would happen if the entire Amazon disappeared? Anna Rothschild explores the relationship between this ecosystem and the rest of the planet.

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Meet The Creators

  • Lesson Plan created by Cheney Munson
  • Educator Anna Rothschild
  • Director Upamanyu Bhattacharyya, Otter Studios
  • Narrator Christina Greer
  • Animator Akshit Kumar, Rishav Mohanty, Upamanyu Bhattacharyya
  • Composer Salil Bhayani, cAMP Studio
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by TED-Ed

How can sustainable agriculture and Indigenous stewardship work together to ensure the long-term survival of the Amazon rainforest while addressing economic pressures?

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Sustainable agriculture and Indigenous stewardship can work together to ensure the long-term survival of the Amazon rainforest while addressing economic pressures by not taking too much of the resources at once, and making sure there is enough to regrow. Studies have shown that by doing this, more revenue can be generated than that of currently.


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in response to ANDRONICO DA COSTA Show comment

I also think that indigenous people led management of the rainforest might assist to protect and save it more than any approach.


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Sustainable agriculture and Indigenous stewardship can work together to ensure the long-term survival of the Amazon rainforest by combining traditional knowledge with modern techniques. Indigenous communities have a deep understanding of the rainforest's ecosystem and have practiced sustainable agriculture for centuries. Traditional methods, such as agroforestry and crop rotation, can be combined with modern techniques, such as conservation agriculture and integrated plant production.


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Lesson in progress

Logging and replanting selective logging of mature trees ensures that the rainforest canopy remains intact. This method allows the forest to recover, as younger trees gain more space and sunlight to grow. Planned and controlled logging ensures that for every tree cut down, another is planted.The government needs to tighten regulations on the expansion of large-scale plantations. Policies such as deforestation moratoriums and satellite monitoring can help ensure industry compliance with sustainable practices.


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Lesson completed

Sustainable agriculture and Indigenous stewardship can work together by integrating agroforestry, regenerative farming, and land rights protections to balance conservation with economic needs. Agroforestry mimics natural ecosystems, allowing crops like açaí and Brazil nuts to be cultivated without deforestation. Regenerative farming techniques, such as crop rotation and silvopasture, reduce soil degradation and maintain biodiversity. Strengthening Indigenous land rights ensures forest protection, while sustainable markets (Fair Trade, eco-tourism, and carbon credits) provide economic incentives. By blending traditional ecological knowledge with modern sustainability practices, this approach ensures long-term forest health while supporting local livelihoods.

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