Research
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

Change in Economic Dependency Education Reserves Sustainable Settlement in the Brazilian Amazon
by Anna Luiza Ozono de Almeida and Joao S Campari
This book from 1995 examines the environmental impacts that are linked to the economy, particularly having to do with agriculture.  They say that an unstable economy leads to an increase in deforestation.  They recommend policies that penalize deforestation, punish land speculation, and increase local revenues to fund restoration.  This could include capital gains taxes, and agricultural income taxes for farms larger than a certain size. (still reading, will be up dated)

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.
 
 
 
 


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