How You Can Help Save the Amazon—With Just a Fork

The Amazon rainforest, often called the “lungs of the Earth,” is under threat like never before. Recent reports show that fires in the Amazon have surged dramatically, with over 40,000 fires this year alone—an 84% increase compared to last year. Brazil has declared an emergency, struggling to control the fires and minimize damage.

While fires in the Amazon aren’t new, the scale and intensity we’re seeing now is unprecedented. You might wonder how you, on the other side of the world, can help. The answer is simpler than you think—and it starts with a tool you already have: your fork.

A Personal Message from Till, Founder of råbowls

Hi, I’m Till, the founder of råbowls. Growing up between Germany, the Netherlands, and Brazil, I witnessed firsthand the destruction of the Amazon rainforest. The beauty of that ecosystem is unmatched, but seeing it vanish for agricultural expansion was a wake-up call for me. I knew I had to be part of the change. råbowls was born out of that vision—a place where healthy, sustainable food options can make a positive impact, one meal at a time. I believe that by making simple, conscious choices, we can all contribute to protecting our planet.

Why Is the Amazon Burning?

The Amazon has been exploited for cattle ranching and agriculture for decades. Farmers use fires to clear land, and with the rising global demand for meat, the situation has worsened. Today, 80% of the fires in the Amazon are intentionally set to clear space for farming. The Brazilian government’s relaxed regulations have only made it easier for this deforestation to continue, threatening the survival of this vital ecosystem.

Why We Need to Protect the Amazon

In just 50 years, over 20% of the Amazon has been lost to farmland, causing devastating effects on our environment. Fires release massive amounts of carbon dioxide, contributing to global warming and natural disasters. This vicious cycle means more droughts, more fires, and a continuous decline in biodiversity. The Amazon is also a crucial source of clean air, and its destruction robs us of that vital resource while displacing countless animal species.

It’s estimated that 15% of all greenhouse gas emissions come from animal agriculture. As demand for meat grows, so does the need for farmland, which puts the Amazon—and our future—at risk.

What You Can Do: Change Begins with Your Fork

The single most impactful step you can take is to reduce your meat consumption. Less demand for meat means less need for cattle fields, less water usage, and fewer emissions. At råbowls, a vegan bowls and juices restaurant in central hamburg, we make it easy to enjoy plant-based meals that are both satisfying and environmentally friendly. Our decadent duck and cheating chili are perfect examples of how delicious plant-based food can be. Plus, these options use 60% less land and 20 times less water than traditional meat production.

Choosing a plant-based meal even a few times a week makes a big difference. By swapping meat for tofu or legumes, you can directly contribute to saving the Amazon.