Deforestation: The Future

By Ashley

Thinking about the possible future of the Amazon is a mind boggling process. There are many different ways that the deforestation future can go and many avenues to explore. There are so many ways that this process can take off in the right direction. The improving technology can only increase the chances of the forest being restored. There are a number of new ideas being studied in order to fix the current problem that is growing in Brazil and other countries as well. Even if a particular area of the forest had to be taken up, the process known as rotation harvest ensures that that area will re-grow. (Deforestation)

There are so many ways of awareness that may take place. As I stated before in response to Alyssa’s post, things like education in schools and global presentation have and will help. Even “star power” can work for the good of deforestation elimination. This Thursday, stars like Lady Gaga and Elton John are coming together to raise funding and awareness for the rainforest. If economics are the true issue and reason for deforestation, as the Brazil government states, then projects like this shall reduce the amount of trees, plants, and animals that the rainforest inhabits.

The future truly rests on the hands of the Brazilian government. There is no excuse of why there should not be a significant decrease in the deforestation numbers. Once the government puts their ego aside and realizes that is a bigger problem than a political power struggle, then the rainforest might be ok. The tourism rate will also rise if deforestation stops. The lack of beauty in the Amazon is only depleting the amount of tourism that comes into that area. The Brazilian government needs to stop and really look at what their stinginess is doing to an adored national wonder. The only question that is left is if Brazil has the will power to make a difference and stop deforestation for the good of this world?

"Deforestation." The Global Change Program at the University of Michigan. Web. 28 Apr. 2010. .

Catholicism Against Deforestation

By Megan

With the continued clearing of the Amazon rainforest nearly the size of Connecticut every year, it is apparent that the methods of action proposed or previously executed by the country of Brazil, as well as the entire global community, prove relatively ineffectual. To eliminate the tragedy that is deforestation, it seems that Brazil must turn to other sources for assistance. As a predominantly Roman Catholic country, the citizens of Brazil should strive to end deforestation based principally on their Christian values that emphasize love and respect towards all of God’s creations, as revealed through Genesis 1:28 in which God placed the care of “every living thing that moves on the earth” in the hands of all mankind. Reflecting on these values, Pope Benedict XVI stated this year that “mankind must renew and strengthen ‘that covenant between human beings and the environment, which should mirror the creative love of God.’” (Hance) Though even if Catholics truly believe in the teachings of the Bible, it is an unfortunate aspect of human nature to remain inactive when faced with a problem, not because of apathy, but rather not knowing how to take the first step to resolve the issue. The question then becomes: What are actual ways that Brazilians, as well as others in the global community, can put their Christian values into action to end deforestation?

Recently in Thailand, Catholics and Buddhists came together to combat the evils of deforestation through a “forest consecration” in which orange cloths, symbolizing the robes of Buddhist monks, were tied around trees to represent their sanctification. (Thailand) While this did not particularly occur in the Amazon, the act nevertheless demonstrates the effective impact that religion, especially when combined with others in the global community, has on environmental problems like deforestation.


As an issue that shows complete disregard for all of God’s creation, deforestation needs to be stopped, as Pope Benedict XVI states, “for the benefit of people now and in the future”. (Hance)

Works Cited
Hance, Jeremy. "Pope Benedict: Environmental Crisis Requires Review of World's Economic Model." Conservation and Environmental Science News. 15 Dec. 2009. Web. 8 May 2010. .

"Thailand: Buddhists, Catholics Join Forces to Fight Deforestation on." Independent Catholic News. 1 July 2009. Web. 8 May 2010. .

What is the global community doing to stop deforestation?

By Alyssa


The level of destruction deforestation has on forests is no longer considered a potential danger to the local communities surrounding it. A poll taken in 2008 mandated that the rate at which trees are falling has increased 69% since the year prior. Therefore, it should be no surprise if the percentage has increased since then. However, despite the grip deforestation has had on the global community not much is being done because, “there is a big financial incentive especially from the United States to invade the public land and claim possession (Parker).”

Protocols of actions need to be made in order to decrease the amount of trees being decimated for the expansion of open land for high-rise pricing and development. What types of action could the world as a whole do to induce globalization and aid nations threatened by deforestation such as Brazil?

A recent study has shown that individuals should take the first step in learning about how limit such resources. Then one impact could be to boycott multi-national corporations who contribute to this malfeasance such as Burger King (Sander).


However, despite these attempts, deforestation is still occurring. For the future, plans were made at the last UN meeting for a new “Bali roadmap.” This concept would pay rainforest nations to Reduce Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation. Brazil also made an announcement in hopes of gaining global support to back their proposal for no deforestation (BBC | News). However, neither of these operations will occur for another 3-5 years and the success rate of both is relatively low. What methods should the global community attempt in order to reduce deforestation for the present society?

Deforestation in Brazil

Has the Brazilian government tried anything to stop deforestation?

By Ashlee


As Santo said before, deforestation in Brazil is such a large issue that it has even gained global attention. As our group conversed about the direct link to what has caused this tragedy, we found that logging, cattle ranching, and the government have caused the deforestation which is a contributor to the global warming of the earth. With that in mind, since deforestation in Brazil is such an important global issue, what has the government or the country done to impede deforestation?

The Brazilian government tried to lessen the amount of trees being cut down by making very strict laws saying that it was illegal action to do, but that did not faze those cutting down trees. The government even takes away the trees away from those that cut them down. The only problem is that the government does not have enough manpower to enforce the law, which allows for the loggers and such to continue cutting the trees down. The government has also put money into preserving the land, animals, and plants in the forest by making reserves and national parks. The Brazilian government also uses satellite to patrol the Amazon, but that is not sufficient enough, which leads to the question what can Brazil do to solve the problem? Brazil could hire more people to patrol the land or even take the ones that care for the land to watch over it. Brazil is trying to stop this, but many individuals are getting around the system to continue to make money by logging (Graf).

Graf, Christine. "The Vanishing Amazon and the Fight to Save It." Faces (07491387) 25.5 (2009): 30. Primary Search. EBSCO. Web. 28 Apr. 2010.

What are the Causes of Deforestation? and Is it an Issue Worthy of Recognition on a Global Scale?

By Santo


In recent decades, the rainforests of Brazil have fallen victim to what appears to be a complete disregard for the environment and life in general. Each year thousands of acres of Brazil's rainforests are lost to a process known as deforestation. Deforestation is the excessive, unnecessary measure of cutting down trees throughout the world's forested areas. There are a number of causes for the occurrence of deforestation in Brazil, but what are the immediate causes leading to the tragedy?

Each year, numbers of animal species indigenous to Brazil's rainforest become endangered or extinct as a result of their habitat being destroyed. Though, perhaps more important than the animal species of the rainforest, are its plant species, of which may possess the potential to cure numerous diseases, but due to deforestation they are being eradicated long before scientists have the opportunity to study them. Other environmental issues brought on by deforestation include soil erosion, climate change, and increased carbon emissions into the Earth's atmosphere. If this vicious process continues to occur at its current rate, Brazil's rainforest will cease to exist in just a few hundred years. Is deforestation in Brazil an issue worthy of recognition on a global scale?

Throughout this blog we will continue to discuss the problems of deforestation in Brazil, while also explaining how Christianity, Brazil's most practiced religion, and globalization, can offer a solution to the problem at hand.

(Photo Credit: )//www.environmentupdates.com/deforestation.html