The Amazon has, over the centuries, had a direct relationship to conditions in the Sahara. The jet stream and other systems affected things so that the Sahara gradually got drier. Yes, of course other forests need protection, like those in Indonesia where Japan buys huge amounts for building forms...etc.
   (They used to send buyers to the northeast USA to buy hardwoods. The lumber would go to Baltimore and be loaded on Japanese ships with plywood mills onboard. They would unload finished plywood in Japan, then turn around and head back for more.)

   I shouldn't even get started on Japan and over fishing and the whales.. :>(