Posts

Showing posts with the label environmentalmyth

Is the Amazon Really the Lungs of the Earth? Scientific Fact Check

Image
The Amazon rainforest is often called the "lungs of the Earth," said to produce most of the planet’s oxygen. But how scientifically accurate is this claim? In reality, how much of the world's net oxygen comes from the Amazon? In this post, we will fact-check this concept through the origin of the expression, the exaggerations, and recent research data.     1. Why is the Amazon Called the "Lungs of the Earth"? The Amazon, the world's largest rainforest, spans about 5.5 million km² . Since the 1960s and 70s, environmentalists and media have referred to the Amazon as the "lungs of the Earth" to emphasize its conservation. However, this metaphor may not be biologically or ecologically accurate. 2. How Much Oxygen Does the Amazon Produce? The Amazon contains around 10% of the world’s terrestrial biomass and generates a massive amount of oxygen through photosynthesis each year. However, here's the key point: Total Oxygen Pr...