Deforestation of Brazil's Amazon rises sharply

***Gunny*** · #1 (**permalink**) 01-24-2008, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Associated Press

SAO PAULO, Brazil - Brazil will combat rising deforestation in the Amazon by sending extra federal police and environmental protection officers to areas where illegal clearing of the rain forest jumped dramatically last year, officials said Thursday.

Authorities will also monitor the areas where the deforestation occurred in an attempt to prevent anyone from trying to plant crops or raise cattle there, said Environment Minister Marina Silva.

The measures were announced after President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called an emergency meeting of Cabinet ministers to discuss new data showing an apparent reverse of a three-year decline that Silva has repeatedly praised.

The clearing of Brazil's Amazon rain forest jumped in the final months of 2007, spurred by heavy market demand for corn, soy and cattle. The 36 areas being targeted registered the highest rates of deforestation, environmental officials said.

Officials will also try to fine people or businesses who buy anything produced on the deforested land in the 36 small cities and towns, the environment minister said.

The plan means a 25 percent increase in the police force assigned to the region, though Justice Minister Tarso Genro did not say how many officers will take part.

more ... http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22818963/

Sounds like throwing a bucket of water on a forest fire to me.

Toro · #2 (**permalink**) 01-24-2008, 10:09 PM

The simple fact is that the area dedicated to farmland around the world over the past three decades has fallen and now the price of agricultural commodities is soaring. So its no wonder the Amazon rainforest is slowly being torn out.

nibor · #3 (**permalink**) 01-31-2008, 10:54 PM

Uh yeah the rainforests hold the cures.....................I wonder what geniuses convinced them to grow flippin' corn....................UNBELIEVABLE

Helios · #4 (**permalink**) 01-31-2008, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GunnyL

Sounds like throwing a bucket of water on a forest fire to me.

It's sad, but the simple fact of the matter is that people never realize the extent they are destroying their own future until it's too late... the rainforests are fundamental components of why life is possible on Earth, including regulating global temperature, being evolutionary hot spots and containing the cures for many of today's critical diseases.

This can't end well for humanity, unless some actions are taken to restore or at least protect the existing rainforests.

***Gunny*** · #5 (**permalink**) 02-01-2008, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helios

It's sad, but the simple fact of the matter is that people never realize the extent they are destroying their own future until it's too late... the rainforests are fundamental components of why life is possible on Earth, including regulating global temperature, being evolutionary hot spots and containing the cures for many of today's critical diseases.

This can't end well for humanity, unless some actions are taken to restore or at least protect the existing rainforests.

What's really sad is we DO know we are destroying entire ecosystems, but the moneygrubbers just don't care and nobody stops them.

We can't regulate global temperature. We can only affect it insofar as our greenhouse gas emissions are concerned. Beyond that extent, global warming/cooling is cyclical and going to happen no matter what we do.

Helios · #6 (**permalink**) 02-01-2008, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GunnyL

What's really sad is we DO know we are destroying entire ecosystems, but the moneygrubbers just don't care and nobody stops them.

We can't regulate global temperature. We can only affect it insofar as our greenhouse gas emissions are concerned. Beyond that extent, global warming/cooling is cyclical and going to happen no matter what we do.

Yes thats true, but global warming and cooling is supposed to take place over hundreds or thousands of years, not as rapidly as it has. I don't think understating the impact we have had on global warming does much good.