The Amazon Rainforest supplies 20% of the world's oxygen.
BBC refers to the Amazon as The Lungs of the Planet.

Covering 2.1 million square miles, the Amazon Rainforest is home to more than half the world's species of animals and plants. The rainforest spans across nine nations, with 60% contained within Brazil followed by 13% in Peru. The Amazon represents over half of our planet's remaining rainforests.

NPR's Phillip Reeves was sent to the Amazon to research the situation hands-on. Some of his discoveries revealed that, "According to Brazil's Institute of Space (ph), there've been more than 74,000 fires this year, and that's up more than 80% of last year." 

Mr. Reeves stated that in the past, droughts were a major cause for the spike in fire activitiy, however, environmentalists are saying there's no drought this year. Mr. Reeves said, "...And they're in no doubt that people are causing most of these (fires) in order to clear land, often for cattle."

According to the World Wildlife Federation- The Amazon River makes up around 15% of the world's total river discharge into our oceans, containing the largest number of freshwater fish species in the world.

With a suspected cause of the increase in fires being human-related, we here at 
Adventure Pickle pose the question- What can YOU do to make the world a better place?

Do Your Research// GreenMatters

Photos:  World Atlas// Mongabay

New Mexico's tallest peak towers among the Sangre De Cristo mountain range. The combination of scenery and wildlife make for a full day adventure or a morning spritzer depending on your pace throughout the Carson National Forest.

Park at the base of Taos Ski Valley or drive up towards Lift # 4 to access multiple trailhead options to take on the summit of Wheeler Peak. If you take the Williams Lake TH, reward yourself with a warm baked pretzel on your way down at The Bavarian.
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1.)  Bull-of-the-Woods Trail // 14.5 miles rt// Elevation Gain:  4,550 ft
2.)  Williams Lake Trailhead // 7.9 miles rt //  Elevation Gain:  2,979 ft

An abundance of wildlife thrives among the pines along the way to the top! See marmots, pica, and high-alpine chipmunks bopping around in the rock gardens and up on summit. Black bears and mountain lions also live here so respect their homes and stay aware of your wild surroundings!