Back
| causes of deforestation | Possible solutions | |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Regulations | |
| Mining | Regulations, change in economic dependence | |
| Logging | Regulations, change in economic dependence | |
| Agriculture | Education, regulations, change in economic dependence | |
| Cattle Ranchers | Regulations, education, change in economic dependence | |
| Positive Feedback loops resulting from deforestation | Reserves and Protect areas, education |
Regulations
Indigenous People and Tropical Forests: Models of Land
Use and Management form Latin America
By Jason W. Clay
This book examines the history and current (relatively) methods of
sustenance and agriculture among indigenous people of Latin American tropical
rain forests. They emphasize that native people work within the ecosystem
to cultivate food without depleting the resources. "They do
not make a clear-cut distinction between fields and forests or between
wild and domesticated." The Kayapo indians of central Brazil have
been shown to transplant at least 54 edible species of plants near villages
and along frequented trails. In this way, they use the native species
to their advantage without hurting the system. It has also been observed
that certain plants that they encourage attract animals, which are the
key source of protein for the people. There are some good lessons
about cultivating in harmony with nature. (still reading, will be
updated)
Ecology Project
International
This is the web site of a eco-tourism/educational foreign exchange
group. They lead trips to Costa Rica and the Galapagos Islands where
they teach high school students about the endangered leather backed sea
turtles and the rain forest. The students work with reforestation
projects and habitat conservation. EPI also works with local high
school students with similar projects so that the local population can
also learn about environmental issues related to their country. A
expanded program such as this, possibly working more in-depth with college
level students, could increase understanding of the Amazon while financing
and running conservation and rehabilitation projects in Brazil.
The Effects
of Mining on Development(click on Brazil, then environment)
This article examines the costs and benefits of a natural resources
based economy in developing nations. The conclusion is reached that
mining and other natural resource extraction for exportation actually slows
the per capita growth of GNP. Mining and other natural resource exportations
will hurt the long run economy of the Brazil, and should be phased out.
Making
Negotiated Land Reform Work(click Brazil, then Economics)
The article analyzes how to redistribute land most effectively.
It examines a current practice in Brazil that utilizes the free market.
Loans are given to community groups which select land to buy and the farmer
pays back the loan when they become "emancipated, " meaning able to support
themselves off of the land. Because the land lords are given money
rather than almost meaningless government bonds, they are willing to accept
a lower price for the land. Because the farmers are expected to pay
back the loan, they will look for inexpensive land. This land
is usually underutilized and/or depleted of efficiency, and so when it
becomes productive, it will significantly increase the output of the community.
I think that it is very important that farmers are given the tools to make
these depleted lands fertile and productive again.
The
World fact book
This source supplies basic background on the state of the country of
Brazil in terms of social, political, economic and environmental aspects.
A table of relevant information can be found through the facts link on
the previous page.
The
summary Report of the World Commission of Forests and Sustainable Development
This many page document is a thorough examination on protecting forests
and economies. In particular they recommend: increase of productivity
of small farmers, diversified crop production including staple foods, agro-forestry
and livestock, reducing deforestation for fuel by agro-forestry and alternative
energy sources, increasing the use of non tree forest products, cultivating
a definition of "forest capital" and having the international community
support countries with high forest capital so that they need not destroy
it, and strict governing of multinational corporations by government and
civil society.
500
Year Plan From the Rain forest Action Network
This article sets out a goal for forest conservation, reforestation,
economic and political stability that will be sustainable for a run of
at least 500 years. They recommend incentive based conservation of
primary forest, reforestation funded by the international community and
companies that have a history of destruction, use destroyed land to create
secondary forest that can be logged in the future but still support ecosystems,
and decreasing demand for timber products world wide.
Examples
of Certified Forest Products
Explains one example of chilean forest products which have used certification
to identify sustainably harvested materials
Looking
Good
Looking good might not be so good. According to this article,
the Brazilian economy is improving due to higher privatization and foreign
investment. Though this is good for the economy, most of the industries
encouraged are related to mining. The president has signed into law
a bill to allow private investors create highways and hydroelectric damns,
both of which have serious negative environmental effects. This article
makes clear that the Brazilian mining industry is a major component of
world ore supply and not something that we can simply say that we should
stop. The increase in prominent telecommunications companies might
be something to be encouraged because it increases the economy without
a direct alliance on the rain forest.