Deforestation in Brazil

Brazil contains the Amazon rainforest, which is commonly know as "The Lungs of the World". Knowing this, it is quite unsettling to find out that Brazil has the largest area of forest that is removed annually in the world. The deforestation in Brazil is up to 28% per year. Deforestation is defined as the act of cutting down or burning the trees in a certain area. Many environmentalist link the recent boost in deforestation to a loosening of environmental law in Brazil, specifically in the Amazon. The South American nation uses satellite technology to track the amount of deforestation. In 1964, a law was passed claiming that if a citizen could demonstrate "effective cultivation" for a year and a day, then that person could claim a right to the land. The law paved the way for enormous amounts of areas of forest to be cut down for cattle production. Another big problem is the clearing of trees for highways. Farmers also use the trees to sell timber and make a profit. To go along with logging, infrastructure, and cattle farming, hydroelectric dams, soybean production, and mining activities also lead to deforestation. One of the effects of this deforestation is the emission of greenhouse gases. According to a recent study, it is believed that 10% of the current greenhouse gas emissions are due to deforestation in the Amazon Forest. Some of the ways deforestation can be stopped is by looking at the causes. The same people that lead to the destruction in the Amazon Rainforest can stop it. Politicians and coorporations and markets can help stop deforestation.

This is a picture of the Amazon Rainforest using Google Earth

National Science Foundation Video on Deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest

This is a link to a good video by the National Science Foundation on deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest, focusing on Brazil.