This week’s assembly and classroom discussion focus on an important story from the news: Brazil’s new president, Luiz Inácio da Silva (commonly known as Lula), has pledged to reduce deforestation and protect the Amazon rainforest, making climate protection his top priority. Let’s explore this story, its global significance, and ways you can use it for classroom and home discussions. What’s Happening in the News? From 30th January to 5th February 2023, the news spotlight is on Brazil, where newly elected President Lula promised to prioritise the preservation of the Amazon rainforest. In his first speech, he stated his aim to reach zero deforestation, emphasising that the world needs the Amazon alive. He advocated for fighting illegal logging and pledged to make climate protection a priority. Why Is the Amazon Rainforest So Important? The Amazon rainforest is often called the ‘lungs of the planet’ because of its vital role in absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen. Scientists explain that protecting the Amazon is crucial in the fight against climate change. Covering a vast area in South America, the Amazon spans nine countries, with 60% located in Brazil. It contains an estimated quarter of all plant and animal life on Earth and absorbs over 40% of our global carbon dioxide pollution. What’s Happening to the Amazon? Deforestation in the Amazon is a significant concern. Large areas are cleared for farming, natural resources, and land for animals, often by methods such as slashing and burning. This not only destroys vital ecosystems but also impacts local and indigenous communities living in the rainforest. Such destruction results in loss of habitats, reduction in biodiversity, and contributes to global warming. Who Lives in the Amazon Rainforest? The Amazon isn’t just home to thousands of species—including the jaguar, red-lored parrot, turtles, and giant centipedes—but also to millions of people. Many belong to indigenous groups like the Yanomami and Kayapo, who have lived in harmony with the rainforest for thousands of years. Some of these groups practise shifting cultivation, while others rely on hunting, gathering, and fishing, with their lives closely connected to the rhythms of the forest and the river. What Makes the Amazon Unique? It rains a lot in the Amazon, with two seasons: wet (average 30°C) and dry (average 37°C). The rainforest canopy is so dense that it can take raindrops around ten minutes to reach the ground. People living in and around the forest, including in major cities like Manaus (population over 2.5 million), all play a part in the region’s rich diversity. Classroom and Assembly Discussion Points Use these discussion starters in your classroom or assembly: What do you know about the Amazon rainforest? Where is it located, and which countries does it span? What animals and plants are found there? Who lives in the Amazon? How might their lives differ from yours? Why is it important to protect natural habitats like the Amazon? Do you think President Lula’s plans will help save the rainforest? What more could be done? Are there any natural habitats near where you live? Who is responsible for protecting them? Reflection The Amazon rainforest’s preservation is crucial for the wellbeing of the entire planet. This week’s news invites us to think about our responsibility towards the natural world and how rules and laws can help protect vital habitats. Remember, everyone can make a difference—no matter where they live. Follow-Up Activities and Ideas For KS1 Find out about an animal in the Amazon and create a fact file or drawing. Talk about rain! Describe its sound and use percussion or your body to create ‘rain music’ in class. Explore natural habitats nearby—discuss ways to take care of them. For KS2 Amazon rainforest maths: Investigate statistics about the rainforest and create your own maths questions based on them. Discuss the size of the Amazon (it’s big enough to fit the UK and Ireland 17 times!). Compare average temperatures in the Amazon to where you live. Research indigenous groups and reflect on how their lives are similar to or different from yours. Vocabulary to Explore Absorbing: Taking something in gradually (like the Amazon absorbs CO2). Deforested: Cutting down or destroying all the trees in an area. Habitat: The natural environment in which a plant or animal lives. Preservation: Keeping something as it is to prevent damage or destruction. Priority: The most important thing to deal with first. Vital: Necessary or very important. Share Your Thoughts Encourage pupils and families to talk about: What they know about the Amazon rainforest. If enough is being done to protect it. Who is responsible for looking after natural habitats near where they live. What they feel about the future of forests and world habitats. Other Stories in the News Ham-dini the Runaway Duck A duck named Ham, living in Chorley, has become known for his escape acts, earning the nickname Ham-dini. Owners and neighbours regularly spot him on his adventures, often dressed in handmade scarves, before he returns home for a snack and a cup of tea! The Singing Bus Driver Ranjit Singh, a bus driver from the West Midlands, has gained YouTube fame after releasing a feel-good music video in Punjabi. The song celebrates bus drivers’ teamwork and has gained local and international attention, highlighting pride in everyday roles. Vast Canyon of Books: Wuhan Library A leading Dutch architecture firm has designed China’s new Wuhan Central Library, inspired by the meeting of two rivers and featuring a "canyon" of books among many communal spaces, connecting people with the world of reading and ideas. 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