Given the current
rates of deforestation, it has been suggested that the Amazon Rainforest will
be mostly deforested by the end of the century4. As the greatest
manifestation of biodiversity in the world, this would represent nothing short
of an ecological catastrophe. Although the problems residing behind the
deforestation of the Amazon are convoluted and complex, Project Amazonia has
developed some possible solutions to try to curb deforestation rates.
Note: As with most of the rest
of this website, attention has been focused specifically to threats of the
Amazon within Brazil. Most of the Amazon resides within Brazil and many of
the solutions we develop would probably be transferable to other regions with
minimal adaptation.
Most of the
problems leading to deforestation within the Amazon stem from the activities
of those living within its confines. Therefore, the majority of the solutions
that the project has developed deal specifically with different groups living
within the Amazon and how the government and external organizations can
cooperate with the people to counter destructive practices within the
rainforest. Other solutions deal with the infrastructure of Brazil and its
energy resources, attempting to find more efficient, economic and ecologically
friendly means by which the lifeblood of Brazil can be maintained.
Outlined below are
the major solutions we feel could potentially help to preserve the rainforest
and its inhabitants. These solutions can be explored in greater depth by
clicking on the links within the summary or at the top of the page.
Land Rights of Indigenous People
Although they have inhabited the lands
of the Amazon Rainforest for hundreds of years, the indigenous tribes of the
Amazon are under intense pressure from other peoples for the claim to the
lands they inhabit. The indigenous peoples require adequate land for their
culture, knowledge and way of life to survive, but there is currently
insufficient legislation to ensure the maintenance of indigenous lands.
Project Amazonia
proposes legislation to ensure that a minimum amount of land is set aside for
indigenous peoples. On top of this, it is recommended that the government be
held accountable to this minimum standard by indigenous groups, external
organizations, etc. Finally, the Project recommends that a government
organization be established for the collection of indigenous knowledge on
natural resources and the reimbursement of the indigenous tribes for this
knowledge.
Sustainable
Land Management for Landless Farmers (Land
Distribution /
Agricultural Solution)
Within the Amazon
are scores of low-income, landless farmers who settle on whatever land they
can find, farming it for a living until they are forced to relocate and find
another patch of land. However, because the farmers do not have a large
income nor the resources with which to buy the equipment to practice
sustainable agricultural methods, they resort to unsustainable agricultural
practices that deplete the land of nutrients. As these farmers move they
clear the land in order to farm it, causing a significant amount of
deforestation.
As a result,
Project Amazonia has developed possible solution to this cycle that involves
the leasing of lands by the government to landless farmers. Under this
scenario, lands purchased by the government would be leased to farmers in
return for a deposit depending on the quality of the land. The government
would educate the farmers on sustainable land practices, allowing the farmers
to develop their establishments and increase profits without fear of being
removed from their land. At any time the farmers can choose to leave the
land, at which point the government will return a portion of the deposit
depending on the final health of the land.
Not only would this
program increase the living conditions of farmers within the Amazon, but it
could potentially decrease deforestation from unsustainable agricultural
practices and generate revenue for states to pursue internal improvements.
Click here for a more comprehensive explanation of the Sustainable Land
Management plan.
Energy Resources
The majority of the
energy produced within Brazil is generated within hydroelectric power stations
(58 of 64 GW)5. However, this source of energy is frequently at
the mercy of nature and if an especially dry year ravages the Amazon, power
shortages are experienced. This was recently experienced in 2001 when severe
droughts lowered reservoirs causing an energy crisis.
In response,
Project Amazonia researched various alternative energy sources, comparing
economic, ecological and practical benefits. While renewable resources such
as wind and solar power are the most ecologically friendly alternatives
currently available, they would also be at the mercy of nature and would not
necessarily solve energy crises in Brazil. After consideration, however, a
combination of fluidized bed coal combustion and combustion turbine power
plants seem to be the most viable, relatively clean alternative.
Mining
Rich in minerals,
the Amazon presents an alluring opportunity for those willing to mine its
depths. However, the current practices by which miners and companies extract
gold and ores leads to the degradation of the surrounding lands. Not only are
the mining sites deforested and the lands severely disturbed, but toxic
chemicals that are used in refining processes, such as mercury and cyanide,
are frequently improperly contained and end up seeping into the wilderness
damaging the surrounding lands and wildlife.
Project Amazonia
has developed a suggestion for how mining techniques could be improved within
the Amazon. By improving mining techniques, companies could retain gold lost
in accidental spills, increasing profits, and the environment could be
protected from these toxic chemicals. Click here for an in-depth look into
Project Amazonia's ecologically friendly mining plan.
Health Care for Indigenous Peoples
Because of the
seclusion of indigenous peoples from external civilization for hundreds of
centuries, many tribes have not built up the immune defenses necessary to
withstand many diseases. As these tribes come in further contact with other
peoples they are susceptible to succumbing to the same diseases these peoples
have built up defenses against. As a result, many indigenous groups have
become infected with a number of devastating
diseases such as smallpox and influenza. However, because medical resources
are so difficult to maintain in the depths of the Amazon, access to proper
medical attention is limited and difficult.
Project Amazonia
has developed the beginnings of a solution to being adequate health care to
those tribes in the Amazon wishing to receive it. The plan calls for the
creation of base medical centers stationed throughout the Amazon and mobile
medical centers that could respond to threats and provide basic health
supplies. Through the plan, surveys would be done of indigenous tribes to
determine how they could be best supported and resources could be offered
accordingly.
International Solution for Sustainable Ranching
Although beef is
one of the major exports of the Brazilian economy, the methods that are
practice to fill this market are a major cause of deforestation. The clearing
of lands for grazing fields removes many of the nutrients stored within the
vegetation. Those nutrients that do remain are used to create the grass that
is subsequently absorbed by the cattle. As a result, lands are rapidly
depleted of nutrients and new regions must be found for cattle ranching.
Under the plan
prescribed by Project Amazonia, an organization would be developed – the
International Solution for Sustainable Ranching (ISSR) – to certify that
ranchers follow practices specified by the “Good-Grazing Guidelines” (GGG).
Products produced by ranchers complying with GGG would be stamped with the
ISSR's approval. As well, the ISSR would be responsible for marketing an
awareness campaign to major cities promoting the ecological benefits of
“rainforest-friendly” beef.
Infrastructure Development
The creation of
transportation networks through the Amazon Rainforest frequently leads to
increased deforestation in the regions surrounding the transportation
systems. As roads open up more regions of the Amazon, immigration to these
new frontiers increases. The new inhabitants frequently start up new farms
and ranches causing an increase in local deforestation and the opening of even
more surrounding terrain.
While little can be
done to prevent immigration directly, Project Amazonia has a couple of
suggestions to limit immigration to these areas and repair damage caused by
the development of infrastructure. In particular the plan recommends that,
where possible, alternative modes of transportation (i.e. railroads) be used
for the development of infrastructure.
Also, the plan
recommends that the industry responsible for the creation of and use of the
developed infrastructure be held accountable for the repair of the surrounding
countryside. The companies would then be responsible for the reforestation of
damaged lands or the sponsorship of programs to repair the lands. Click here
for more information on Project Amazonia's plans to make infrastructure
development more ecologically friendly.
Indexation of Forest Health
In order to assess
the relative viability and health of forest within the Amazon, Project
Amazonia attempted to develop a numbering system to characterize the health in
given areas. While we did not actually succeed in developing our own
numbering system, we present some research into how relative assessments of
different properties are made.
Next: Land Rights of Indigenous People->