History tells us that Peru was once home to some of the most beautiful rainforests in the world. These aren’t the histories of hundreds of years ago, but those from recent decades. The jungles of Peru used to be thriving, with vast collections of flora and fauna, and an ecosystem equal to no other.
None of that exists today. Instead, what one photographer found venturing deep in Peru shocked and horrified him. It will hopefully affect you, too.
These once abundant hills were ravaged by illegal gold mining.
share
To find the gold (which is nothing more than a few grams of flakes), workers use mercury to make the discovery a bit easier.
share
As you might guess, mercury kills living things, and injecting it dozens of feet deep into the Earth destroys the potential for life in all directions.
share
This leaves nothing but a barren wasteland, filled with illegal miners.
share
Since this stared, more than 230 square miles of rainforest was destroyed in the southeastern region of Madre de Dios.
share
Mercury poisoned the rivers.
share
Deforestation now accounts for about 40% of Peru’s greenhouse gas emissions. This contributes to global warming, and harms the local population.
share
All this for the $1,071 dollars per month workers earn to collect the illegal gold.
share
Along with 28 hour shifts.
share
share
share
As this practice gathers negative worldwide attention, the Peruvian government recently stepped up efforts to bring an end to the illegal mining.
share
Their message was clear: operate under legal guidelines, or halt operations entirely.
share
Since those guidelines mean less profit, few have complied. The police needed to step in.
share
This leads to battle after battle.
share
The war on the rainforest is now a real one.
share
It destroys villages, lives, and the environment.
share
There are no winners here at all.
share
(via Mashable)
Illegal gold mining still exists in parts of Peru, regardless of how hard police forces crack down. This practice destroys rainforests older than modern man. It can only be stopped through awareness, so do the world a favor and spread what you learned. An entire rainforest depends on it.
