Seven years ago, the Amazon forest was in critical need of resuscitation.

Ravaged by extensive deforestation, the largest rainforest in the world had become a place of severe wildlife destruction and greenhouse gas emission.

Then Norway stepped in.

The Scandinavian country, renowned for its commitment to protect tropical rainforests, pledged $1 billion to the government of Brazil if it could slow down the destruction. And since money talks louder than the scream of a Golden Lion Tamarin or ice caps melting, Brazil obliged.

The country has reduced its forest destruction rate by 75 per cent, saving more than roughly 53,100 square kilometres of forest. Damaging emissions have also been cut a world-record amount – roughly 3.2 billion tons of carbon dioxide, which is how much America would save by taking all the cars off its roads for three years.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hailed the effort as an outstanding example of international collaboration on sustainability, and Norway will pay out the final $100 million of the deal to Brazil this December.

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