Gil Novaes

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Published on 22, Feb 2023

Paws For The Forest: the Future of the Rainforest is in Our Hands (and Paws)

The Amazonian rainforest is one of the most important ecosystems in the world, providing habitat for millions of species of plants and animals. The rainforest also serves as a crucial carbon sink, absorbing massive amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and helping to regulate the planet's climate. The Amazon is also a vital source of medicine, with thousands of plant species used to treat a wide range of illnesses and diseases. The rainforest is also an important economic resource, providing jobs and income for millions of people through activities such as agriculture, forestry, and ecotourism. Additionally, the Amazon rainforest is a unique and irreplaceable cultural and historical treasure, home to many indigenous communities with their own unique languages, traditions, and ways of life.

Unfortunately, this rich and biodiverse region is being destroyed, one tree at a time. In fact, according to recent estimates, on average, the Amazon rainforest is losing around 73,000 hectares (180,000 acres) of trees every day, which equates to approximately 27 million trees. However, this number can vary depending on different factors such as the time of year and the region within the Amazon. Deforestation in the Amazon rainforest has been occurring at an alarming rate due to a combination of factors, including land development for agriculture and ranching, illegal logging, and the construction of dams, roads, and other infrastructure.

The destruction of the rainforest has far-reaching consequences for both local communities and the global ecosystem. Deforestation in the Amazon rainforest is primarily driven by human activities such as logging, agriculture, and cattle ranching. The loss of the Amazon rainforest not only destroys critical habitats for numerous plant and animal species, but it also contributes to global climate change. Deforestation releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, and reduces the amount of carbon dioxide that the forest absorbs, exacerbating the effects of climate change. The destruction of the Amazon rainforest also has cultural and economic implications, as it disrupts the lives of indigenous communities and reduces the availability of resources such as water, timber, and medicinal plants.

One non-profit is determined to fight back. Florida-based natural pet product company Native Paw launched its social media campaign Paws for the Forest on a simple premise: encourage pet owners to post a picture of themselves with their canine companion on the company’s social media pages (primarily Instagram). For every picture, the company would use its own resources to plant a tree in the Amazon rainforest to combat deforestation.

In 2022, Paws for the Forest created the world’s largest online reforestation pet community - and planted 500 trees in the Amazon rainforest. But CEO and founder of Native Paw Gilberto Novaes says this is just the beginning.

“We’d like to see this number doubled in 2023,” he shares. “We have created this vast global community, uniting over 40 different countries. That was our goal for 2022. Now we already have this community and we have the resources to push forward with our conservation efforts.”

Individuals passionate about both their dogs and Amazonian reforestation were invited to post a picture of themselves with their furry friend on the non-profit's social media page - and not only did participants receive a sample of Native Paw's environmentally conscious pet care products, which use ingredients sourced from the rainforest, but they also became a part of the world's largest online community dedicated to reforestation through pet ownership. According to Novaes, founder of both Native Paw and Paws for the Forest, within the first two months of the campaign, they were able to establish this unique community and were thrilled with the positive impact seen both in the reforestation efforts and the response to their pet care products

“We’re planning to ramp up our efforts in 2023,” he shares, “We are so excited about the global interest shown through our campaign. Now we have this interactive community where humans, animals, and nature can all unite to promote a culture of sustainability. At Native Paw, by establishing Paws for the Forest, we want to encourage other businesses to pursue environmental preservation.”

He adds that sustainability is essential to preserving not only the precious Amazonian rainforest, but the environmental health of the entire planet. “We are launching our e-commerce site soon and wish to show that a business can be successful while still making a positive impact on the environment,” Novaes says.

Native Paw’s upcoming e-commerce platform will offer natural pet care products with ingredients that are ethically sourced, including many from the Amazon rainforest. According to Novaes, the diversity and wealth of the Amazonian biome was a source of inspiration when developing the products. The new line of products will feature ingredients such as Maracuja for relaxation, Pracaxi for hydration, Andiroba to prevent fur loss, Copaiba oil as a disinfectant, Camu Camu for its antioxidants and vitamin C content, and more.

Paws for the Forest, created by Native Paw, is a non-profit organization that works to protect and conserve wildlife habitats, particularly in the Amazon rainforest. The organization aims to protect endangered species and their habitats through scientific research, education, and community engagement.

Website: https://pawsfortheforest.com/

Contact Gilberto Novaes at contact@trynativepaw.com

Gil Novaes
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