Saving the Brazilian Amazon Over

Saving the Brazilian Amazon

Over the last 20 years, the overall issue of the destruction of the Amazon rainforest has been increasingly brought to the forefront. This is because there was a consistent push by the Brazilian government to develop the region since the 1960's. Where, they began to encourage people to locate to the region, as they were seeking to develop the Amazon for its agricultural potential and natural resources. As a result, there has been a constant push to destroy large areas of the forest consistently that time. A good example of this can be seen with 60 million hectares of the forest destroyed and converted for agricultural use over the last 30 years. (Ramos) This is the equivalent of the land mass of France being destroyed for commercial interests. Over the course of time, such a policy has resulted in large numbers of Brazilians relocating to the Amazon region. Then, when you combine this with the increased amounts of highways constructed into the region, has meant that the area is now being mined by commercial loggers. What makes the development of the rainforest so troubling is the fact, that it is a major source of converting carbon dioxide into oxygen. This helps to protect the planet from direct rays of the sun; by ensuring that the ozone layer is strong enough prevent these rays from hitting the surface of Earth. This allows the temperature of the planet to remain moderate, as the weather patterns are more predictable. However, the destruction of the rainforest has meant that overall climate of the planet is being affected. An example as to how extreme the problem has become can be seen by looking no further than World Watch's State of the World Report which said,"Forest are shrinking, water tables are falling, soils are eroding, wetlands are disappearing, fisheries are collapsing, range lands are deteriorating, rivers are running dry, temperatures are rising, coral reefs are dying and plant and animal species are disappearing." (Hallowell and Levy 210 -- 211) This is significant because it underscore how vital the Amazon is for ensuring the long-term sustainability of the planet. In order to prevent the jungle from being destroyed requires: that the government focus on those policies that will protect them and encourage responsible economic development. This means, that the government must take a long hard look at those policies that did not work in the past. Then, focus on creating policies that can be used in the short- and long-term that will allow for a balance, between responsible economic development and the environment. This will provide the greatest insights to policymakers and the general public, as to how to sustainable development can be achieved in the Amazon.

Issues Affecting the Sustainable Development of the Brazilian Amazon

In order to determine how to effectively create sustainable development of the Amazon; requires that you examine the current and past policy of the Brazilian government towards the region. Like what was stated previously, the Brazilian government has been developing the rainforest since the 1960's. This is in response to addressing some of the different economic woes that the country was grappling with, mainly large amounts of poverty and a lack of economic development. In order to increase economic prosperity, it was determined that the rainforest should be developed for commercial interests. This would lead to the construction of a number of different roads into the region, since that time. As the government, would encourage people to migrate to the Amazon from the cities. They also began to support a number of new industries that were emerging in the rainforest these would include: logging, mining, the development of agriculture and cattle ranching. (Ramos)

However, over the years: a lack of planning, law enforcement, various land issues and high food prices would push for even greater destruction of the rainforest. As many people who were coming to the area, had no limitations on what pieces of the forest could be utilized for the different objectives. This would lead to an anything goes type of atmosphere, that would grip these industries and new found settlers to the region. As a result, the overall destruction of the Amazon would continue to increase. A good example of this can be seen in the Brazilian state of Mato Grasso. Where, 40% of all new deforestation took place between 2001 and 2004. (Ramos) As there was rapid increase in the overall amounts of soybeans planted in the areas of the rainforest that were destroyed. This is significant, because it underscores the fact that there are large economic incentives for destroying various regions of the forest. Then, when you combine this with the fact that large amounts of roads and railroads were developed the area, have meant that transportation costs have declined dramatically. These two factors have helped fuel the expansion into even more parts of the forest, where the profit motives for engaging in such actions are enticing. This is the biggest reason why the Amazon is being destroyed.

Yet, when you look a little further one reason why such an attitude took shape is: because the Brazilian government had a history of not regulating the various activities in the jungle. This is because throughout the 1960's and 1970's, destruction of the forest was considered to be a part of developing the region. Where, the Amazon was mainly a forest that stood in the way of the government achieving its objectives. This would lead to a hands off type of atmosphere among government officials. As they would fund the development of new industries into the jungle such as cattle; however, they would not do anything to regulate the growth of the region. A good example of this can be seen by looking no further than comments made by Paulo Barreto (a senior researcher at the Amazon Institute of People and the Environment where he said, "Brazil's cattle industry, the world's largest meat producer, is responsible for 75% of the Brazilian Amazon's deforestation and accounts for 40% of Brazil's greenhouse gas emissions." ("Land Use and Rural Development in the Brazilian Amazon") What this shows is how the government had an incentive for many decades to not regulate the development of the Amazon. Where, they were actively supporting and in some cases subsidizing these industries (such as cattle). This would lead to no planning for the development of the forest, as the short-term profit motives were the number one objective. Such attitudes would be reflected with the way that the forest was used in various industries, as the lack of oversight would lead underutilization of various resources. This can be seen in the cattle industry of the Amazon, where they are raising one heard of cattle for every one hectare. This is below what the more developed countries are producing on similar parcels of land. In order for Brazil to be able to create a sustainable development plan, means that the government must engage in polices that will most effectively utilize current farm land. Then, the government must designate certain areas of the forest for development, while protecting others. ("Land Use and Rural Development in the Brazilian Amazon")

Current Efforts to Protect the Forrest

Despite the large amounts of destruction, the government has begun to engage in a number of different programs that will protect the forest and prevent it from being exploited. What is happening is the era of when anything goes in the Amazon, has slowly started to disappear. This is because of the overall devastating effects that are taking place at the hands of development, where nearly one third of the forest has been destroyed because of logging. Then, when you combine this with the push for increased amounts of agribusiness in the region, means that the total amount of infrastructure is increasing. Once roads and other pieces are in place, this could cause the total amount of deforestation to increase in these areas by over 70%. (Ramos) This has caused the Brazilian government to conduct a number of different studies, as to if the current amounts of deforestation are sufficient now and into the future. The results showed that the country has more than enough agricultural land to meet the needs of agribusiness. With the Ministry of Agriculture saying, "The total area of already deforested and arable land in Brazil is more than enough to increase soybean plantations without need for further deforestation. For instance, the national production of ethanol could be doubled by using only 3.3% of Brazil's 90 million hectares of arable land. However, care must be taken to prevent new deforestation caused by displacement of other economic activities such as cattle ranching, which has already occurred. When bio fuels increase demands for crops, prices will rise, farms will expand and displaced ranchers will clear new lands, usually in forested areas where land prices are still low." (Laurence 438 -- 439) As a result, the Brazilian government has engaged in a number of different programs to protect the Amazon and allow for economic development.

Over last five years, the government has begun to change focus in regards to its policies towards the Amazon. Where, it has designated a number of different areas as protected national parks. Currently, there are nearly 201 million hectares that are protected from development. Then, in 2006, a law was passed creating an agency to manage the forests and protect them. With the law stating, that all protected forests should remain public land and that these areas should maintain their forest cover. This is significant because it would reduce the total amounts of destruction that was occurring. A good example of this can be seen by looking no further than the State Acre. Where, deforestation decreased by over 50% since 1998. The main reason for the drop was: the enforcement of the new laws by Brazilian official and increased funding for social development in the area. According to the state's Governor, Arnobio Marques these programs have caused the state's illiteracy rate to decrease dramatically from: 25% to 14%. While at the same time, unemployment has declined from: 8% to 4%. (Yu)

Yet, when you look at the overall effects this policy as a whole, it is clear that it is a good first start. Where, the government is accounting for the impact of its policies on the forest and the local population. A good example of this would be the proposed redevelopment of BR 319. This is a highway that was completed in 1973 that connect Manaus with the rest of Brazil. After, its completion the project was abandoned, because the scope was to large for the region to support at the time. However, since there has been rapid expansion taking place, many are calling to redevelop this highway. In the not to distant past, the government wound engage in such actions. Yet, with the change in policy they now are considering using a railroad in place of the highway. According to Mariano Cenamo of the Institute for Conservation and Sustainable Development of Amazonas, "A railroad would fulfill the same functions as the highway, and would be preferable for the transport of products from the industrial park in Manaus, if it were connected to an integrated rail network to reach the great markets in south-central Brazil." (Osavo) This is significant, because in the past roads and highways were built, with very little disregard for the environment. Now, Brazilian law requires that an environmental impact study is conducted before engaging in such projects. As a result, this signifies how Brazil is attempting to begin in some form of sustainable development.

Beneath the headlines and some of the initiatives being taken, one of the biggest threats to maintaining any kind of sustainable economic development is consistently enforcing the law. This means that regardless of what political or economic issues are taking place, public officials must make it a priority to protect the rainforest. Yet, this is not occurring; instead the various public officials are looking the other way for political or economic reasons. A good example of this; can be seen by looking no further than the 228% increase in destruction of the rainforest in 2008 compared with 2007. The reason why such a jump took place is: many of the local politicians were taking a more lax approach to enforcing the law (due to the fact that it was an election year). According to the Brazilian Environmental Minister Carlos Minc, Incra (a land agency of the government) was he biggest culprit for deforestation from 2005 to 2008 (as Incra destroyed 544 thousand acres) during that time. ("Amazon Deforestation Rate has Tripled") What this shows, is how the Brazilian government is waning from their policy of protecting the Amazon. Where, various business / political interests are causing these policies to become ineffective.

Sustainable Development of the Amazon

To protect and develop the Amazon requires that the Brazilian government go beyond the current laws that are in place. Instead, a focus must be placed on developing industries that will support the forest. Those that have a tendency to cause deforestation should be limited to particular areas. For example, the Amazon is currently responsible for 50% of the timber that Brazil produces. (Ramos) One of the reasons why deforestation has occurred is by allowing loggers to go to any area and cut out large potions of the forest. The protections of large amounts of the jungle are a good first start. Yet, the financial incentive that is driving the destruction of the forest must be taken into account. This means that the logging industry must reduce the overall amounts of resources that it is taking out of the Amazon. One way to accomplish this objective would be: to create areas of the Amazon that are designated for the timber industry. Once they clear a particular area of the forest, they must be required to replant them. Then, the government must set a cap on the total amounts of forest that can be destroyed by the timber industry each year. To enforce the different provisions, the government, could require that anyone who is using the forest for logging to have a permit. As a part of the fees, would be costs to support reforestation and have an enforcement agency prevent any kind of illegal logging. At the same time, the government must encourage the logging industry to go to areas outside of the Amazon. In this particular case, the government could designate larger portions of land that can be used by the timber industry. Like with the Amazon, a policy would require the loggers to reforest those areas that they destroy and all activities will be controlled by permit. This would prevent the runaway activities of illegal logging that occur in the Amazon, by forcing the industry to seek other resources outside of the region. (Sachs 259 -- 273)

Next, the government must focus on developing an effective way for infrastructure to reach various trading hubs in the region, without destroying the jungle. One way to do this is to expand the railway and waterway traffic that can be utilized. This will reduce the overall amounts of destruction of the forest from building large amounts of roads. Then, you are ensuring that the largest amounts of freight are quickly transported in out of the region by rail. When you are transporting various good by rail instate of truck, larger amounts goods can be transported and the environmental impact is less. (Ramos)

Third, the government must focus on preventing agribusiness from expanding into rural parts of the jungle. In this particular situation, soy beans have become a crop that is in demand. This means that larger amounts of forest are destroyed. The government needs to place severe restrictions as to how and when these different farmers can expand into the jungle. This would mean, showing them how to grow the different crops most effectively on their land. Like with the logging industry, this can be regulated by requiring all farmers and cattle ranchers to have a permit. The fees could be used to fund reforestation efforts and enforce the different provisions of the law. (Sachs 259 -- 273)

Once this has taken place, Brazil must focus on ensuring that the policy is sustainable. One way to accomplish this objective is to create an international commission that will independently monitor the development of the Amazon. For example, the various climate agencies at the United Nations could prove to be an independent way of monitoring what is happening in the region. This significant, because when the international community is watching it will be more difficult for local politicians to look the other way. As the mounting pressure to protect the forest will outweigh economic interests.