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.
Some laws have been put in place for deforestation to cease in the Amazon. Although the problem has decreased in the quantity of trees being taken down, it still is not a sufficient solution. After watching the Youtube video that Ashlee posted, the dramatic statistics show that no impact is being made. The Amazon has to much of an influence on the environment for this issue not to be taken seriously.
ReplyDeleteRecently a strong step was taken by the U.S and Europe to decrease the climate change made by Brazil. The U.S, the world superhero, signed a treaty in March to reduce deforestation. (Mongabay) The ultimate incentive is, of course, money. Brazil will be paid for reducing emissions from deforestation. There will also be a meeting between the U.S and Brazil, at least once a year, to discuss the process of reducing these emissions. (Mongabay)
This all sounds like a great plan but the only question is if Brazil will go through with this idea? Brazil is still stuck on the conflict that such high pollutant countries, U.S and Europe, are the ones threatening Brazil and trying to make the world a "better place". Brazil will not be bossed around until a change is made by these countries as well. What this world needs is a joint effort to save our climate and not point the finger.
"Brazil's Plan to save the Amazon Rainforest." Conservation and Environmental Science News. Web. 28 Apr. 2010. .
With recognition of the potential danger deforestation has upon Brazil as well as the world, measures have been taking in order to diminish and hopefully halt further destruction. Currently the Brazilian government has been federally funding projects to protect the natural landscape and to preclude impending effects such as desertification. The creation of laws as well as the development of new satellite technology and software systems further enhances those that have already been created, Prodes and Deter. However, with both tactics crippled by constant corruption and limited resources; new projects are in high demand for development (BBC | News).
ReplyDeleteIn the past few months, the government has also placed a number of fines on farmers choosing to grow crops illegally, increased the number of federal police, and made new land restrictions throughout the deforested regions (BBC | News). However, blatantly ignorant of the laws and restrictions, a large percent of deforestation is still occurring illegally and will continue to do so unless “it can be proven unequivocally that the forest is worth something left standing.. thereby encouraging a different management of forests across the world (BBC – Bruce).” This can include everything from finding new ways to conserve resources to going green and boycotting organizations that thrive on the environments destruction (Sander). The future will be left barren of wildlife, if people do not realize the consequences of their actions now.
Sander, Laura. "Effects of Deforestation." Earlham College — Richmond, Indiana. 20 Nov. 1996. Web. 07 May 2010. .
I definitely think Brazil’s government is deserving of some recognition for taking a huge step in the right direction on the road to putting an end to deforestation. In recent years Brazil’s government has definitely made a drastic improvement in reducing the amount of deforestation that occurs in the rainforests. The government has passed several rainforest protection policies which make logging without the proper documentation illegal throughout the rainforest. In addition, according to statistics, released in 2009 (from http://news.mongabay.com/2008/0306-amazon.html), it is clear that a major improvement has been made since deforestation rates in Brazil are now at the lowest they have been in the past thirty years. Although deforestation statistics are down, the problem is still occurring. Loggers are still illegally chopping down trees and ranchers are still clearing land for growing crops and grazing cattle. If Brazil hopes to maintain its precious forests, it is essential for its government and its people to aid in forest protection.
ReplyDelete"Brazil Fails to Implement Deforestation Plan - Amazon Destruction Jumps." Conservation and Environmental Science News. Web. 5 May 2010. .
Santo, I completely concur with your belief that Brazil, as a government, has shown tremendous progress toward abolishing deforestation, and have come to the conclusion that it is Brazil’s citizens who are to blame, for continuing to show complete disregard for the country’s rulings. Despite the regulations that require permits and place fines on those individuals who continue to deplete one of Earth's most precious resources, these people seem to be too concerned with the immediate economic benefits gained, rather than the detrimental long term global social, economic, and environmental consequences, a fault that appears to reoccur throughout history. It appears that the only solution for Brazil is to increase its number of officials to patrol the area and thoroughly enforce the laws, as well as continue to expand the territory of its national reserves. Finally, I believe the final step in overcoming this tragedy is to provide alternative means of labor for those who currently thrive from the Amazon’s economic benefits, be it through cattle ranching or logging. All of these solutions, though, require extensive amounts of money that the country of Brazil does not have, leaving it up to the global community to work together to provide relief.
ReplyDelete