Amazonia’s Flying Rivers

The Amazon rainforest is more than the green lung of the Earth, absorbing carbon dioxide from the air, storing it and converting it into oxygen. It is also the planet's air conditioning system: intact forests draw rain clouds in from the Atlantic and release water back into the atmosphere. In this way, they cool the Earth.

No forest, no water. As deforestation advances, the "flying rivers" begin to falter - that very gigantic natural water-pump system that carries moisture across the continent. Scientists, politicians and environmental activists explain this fragile interplay and how agroforestry methods can help preserve the forest - and put it to sustainable use.

Versão portuguesa
Os Rios Voadores da Amazônia - Sem floresta não tem água (7 min) >
Os Rios Voadores da Amazônia - Sem floresta não tem água (25 min) >