Deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon has soared to its highest level in 15 years
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A virus causes diseased palm trees to rot in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest.
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The deforestation of Brazil’s Amazon rainforest exploded in 2021. This was a 15 year high after it became clear that the forest had been logged. emitting more carbon than it can absorb.
Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research, (INPE). estimated last month that 13,235 square kilometers (8,224 square miles) of the forest was cleared between August 2020 and July 2021 — the greatest area lost to deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon since 2006.
Amazon is losing its forests.
Amazon rainforest is found in nine different countries. However, Brazil has around 60%.
Greenpeace says that over a third of Amazon’s deforestation is caused by land grab, which is mainly caused in part by livestock producers making space for their cattle ranches.
Jair Bolsonaro, the Brazilian president signed an international agreement to stop deforestation by 2030 at the COP26 climate summit.
Bolsonaro’s regime has seen deforestation increase in Brazil. He has courted controversy during his presidency for encouraging activities like mining and agriculture in the Amazon and has been criticized for making efforts to adopt laws that allow for commercial development on land protected. In addition, the President offered financial incentives for indigenous tribes that develop rainforest land into soy plantations. according to Reuters.
Brazil’s lower chamber of Congress approved a bill in August that would make it easier to grant deeds for land squatters. It came after a separate bill, passed by the lower house in MayThe, made it easier for projects such as mining, agriculture, and others in the Amazon to get greenlit. Brazil’s Senate will now consider both bills for approval.
Luciana Gatti from INPE is a climate researcher and described the Amazon’s deforestation as “a horrible nightmare.”
“It’s really crazy and self-destructive — this really is a nightmare for scientists because we try to advise that this is the complete opposite way from where we need to go, but we are not listened to,” she told CNBC. The Amazon is needed to keep the rain at bay, maintain temperatures, and absorb CO2.
International liability
Gatti stated that illegal activities in Amazon were driving current rates of deforestation. However, he argued many countries are contributing to the destruction of rainforests by importing products from Brazil, such as wood, beef and other meat.
“If you’re importing beef from Brazil, 40% of it comes from the Amazon — [many importers]She said that she didn’t require any evidence to prove these imports aren’t deforestation. Brazil has been very expensive in recent years, making it more profitable for Brazilian producers to export cattle, corn, or soybeans. This then allows them to expand their Amazon sites.
One key pledgeBolsonaro’s government has worked to promote Brazil’s economic growth through international trade. Some countries recommended Brazil when the Amazon was ravaged by forest fires in 2019. should face economic sanctionsIf it fails to preserve the rainforest. Bolsonaro reacted with anger to these suggestions. However, China is the country’s largest export market at present. the world’s biggest polluter.
Gatti stated that the mining of the rainforest is threatening the survival of wildlife and the indigenous people who depend on it.
She stated that “the government does not see that Amazon is our most valuable treasure.” Because it produces rain and absorbs carbon, the Amazon provides climate protection. Each dry season now is hotter, drier, and has seen uncontrollable burning. We try to advise, but they don’t listen, and what they are producing for Brazil is a terrible future — a nightmare.”
“They want me to close my mouth”
Gatti claims that federal workers such as herself feel pressure to support the government on matters like the environment.
CNBC reported that they feel “very strong pressure” to avoid saying anything they don’t like. They don’t like [hearing about deforestation and climate change], they have crazy ideas that come from people who think the earth is flat — it’s unbelievable. Because I speak things they aren’t convinced in or with which they disagree, they dislike me. They are determined to silence me.”
CNBC was unable immediately to contact the Brazilian government spokesperson.
Bolsonaro in 2019, clashed with world leaders over his handling of huge forest fires raging through the Amazon and allegedly fired the former head of INPE after the space agency published data showing a massive surge in forest fires.
CNBC spoke with Philip Fearnside (an ecologist from Brazil’s National Institute for Research in Amazonia) about the dire state of the Amazon. He said that deforestation is increasing due to activities such as logging, forest fires and other forest destruction.
In a phone conversation, he stated that “virtually all the fires are started and lit by people.” Although lightning can occasionally start a fire, it is not common in coniferous forests like those in North America. You don’t just have illegal deforestation or so on. There is also legal deforestation.
He said, “One of these things has been happening is making many things legal that were once illegal.” The current president is still in office for at least one additional year, so the odds are that these numbers won’t decrease.
Fearnside noted that land grabbing has become more popular since the legalization in Brazil of public land claims. He also said that it had encouraged forest loss.
He said that 47% of Amazonas’ state was in the designated public land category, making it vulnerable to land grabers.
Fearnside explained that there is a discourse coming from both the president and the ministers below. They are communicating the message that it’s possible to break laws and infiltrate protected areas, and they will pardon you.
Continued at such a rate would lead to significant greenhouse gas emission and other adverse climatic effects for Brazil. But you have water that’s recycled by forests.
This year we experienced a drought that had huge effects. He said that it is not due to deforestation but linked to global warming. However, if there is a new level [temperature]Variation is further added, and a reduction in the transportation of water from Amazonia to Brazil would prove catastrophic. Brazil is obviously the biggest victim. But Argentina, and others, are all very affected. Although it’s not an international issue, the devastating effects can be felt in certain parts of the globe.
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