http://uwashington.worldcat.org.offcampus.lib.washington.edu/oclc/71752502?page=frame&url=%3D%3FUTF-8%3FB%3FaHR0cDovL3B1YnMud3JpLm9yZy9wdWJzX2Rlc2NyaXB0aW9uLmNmbT9QdWJJRD0zODY5%3F%3D&title=&linktype=opacFtLink

This article talks about human pressure on the Amazon forest. 22% of the forest has been deforested for human settlement according to the article, and 11% of the Amazon has been deforested for cattle farming. Between 2000-2002, forest fires tripled (16,000 to 42,000). The last interesting statistics this article states is that the mean annual deforestation rates from 2000-2005 was 18% higher then the previous 5 years.

http://web.ebscohost.com.offcampus.lib.washington.edu/ehost/pdf?vid=2&hid=106&sid=ba174a76-5448-4f34-89c2-e2e15ee4b4c3%40sessionmgr109

This is an article that deals with burned forest land and conservation, restoration of these lands. It deals with indigenous people's land and the situation presented. One line that was disturbing to me, "One rationale for this emphasis on uninhabited protected areas is that the conservation value of indigenous lands is lower then that of the parks because indigenous people ultimately adopt the cultural values, technology, and pattern of resource exploitation of nonindigenous neighbors" (Nepstad 2). This article shows the ignorance of the government trying to restore these lands.

Ethanol production in U.S. causing deforestation in Brazil

The bottom chart shows the relationship between the expansion of soy as a crop in the Brazillian Amazon from 1990-2005 in relation to the amount of deforestation occuring in the same time period. I chose to use this graph because it shows a relationship between increasing deforestation and an increasing amount of soy being grown. The top chart I will discuss further down, I was just having a problem with formatting.

Soy production in Brazil is increasing because of events and issues that are occuring in other parts of the world, like the United States. The availability of fossil fuels is rapidly decreasing, our consumption rates are incredible. Fossil fuels are non-renewable resources, and yet we have built much of our transportation systems in our modern society to rely on fossil fuels. Recently scientists have figured out how to fuel our cars and other devices off of ethanol, a fuel derived mainly from corn. Foreign relations and gas prices have recently stimulated a huge push for higher ethanol production in the United States, which caused a shift in the type of crops that our farmers are planting. Many farmers "see" a better future with corn these days, because of the demand for ethanol. So instead of planting a diverse selection of crops, they choose to focus their efforts on corn. Because of this, they are producing less soy than they were previously, as shown in the top graph. Because the U.S. is producing less soy, and the demand for soy is still the same or greater, other countries are having to pick up the slack. Brazil is one of those countries.

Since 1990, soy production in Brazil has been increasing steadily, at a rate of 14.1% per year. Soy cropping has pushed out other more traditional farmers and livestock cultivaters, causing them to move to new areas, and deforest them. Land that was once used for other purposed has been swiped up, and land that was forested is no longer. As you can see in that second graph, deforestation is growing roughly in proportion to soy expansion in Brazil.

It seems that even though there is an environmental movement occuring in which we are trying to develop new or sustainable ways of living in this world, our actions have consequences that aren't necessarily the ones we are aiming for.

I found information about this issue at: http://news.mongabay.com/2007/0516-ethanol_amazon.html, an environmental news website.

Cattle Ranching in the Amazon

This is a very common graphic that depicts what the main causes of Amazon deforestation are.

Check out how much land is clear cut for cattle! To me it is crazy how famous Brazil is for their beef, when the fact is that that cattle ranching is the main cause of environmental degradation, as well as social unrest among native people, in the Amazon. Next time you see Brazilian beef on the menu at a restaurant, think about the deforestation that had to occur to produce that steak. Use your dollars wisely, if you can, don't purchase Brazilian beef. Alsom think about the fossil fuel inputs required for deforestation, processing and transportation.

Having said that, not all beef is produced unsustainably. Some Brazilian beef is now eco-certified, meaning ranchers follow strict environmental regulations. These ranchers must leave half their land forested, must protect riparian zones (area between land and streams), and must reduce erosion by resitricting livestock from waterways, among other things. But ranchers must be given incentives to follow these regulations, otherwise they will continue to do what they do because it is more affordable. However, the growing demad for organic food shows that consumers are willing to pay more for environmentally friendly food, meaning they would also be willing to pay more for environmentally friendly beef. This price premium should be established to trickle down to the eco-rancher. Brazil is not well known for it's administrative responsibility though, so third-party regulation is crucial.

Check out this article from Mongabay.com (an environmental website) for more on eco-certified Brazilian beef.

Fact sheet: Amazon deforestation

Posted by Julie :)

Last Updated: Thursday May 19 2005 14:45 GMT
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Fact sheet: Amazon deforestation

Some main reasons why areas of rainforests are cut down:
1)Farming e.g. soya fields, cattle ranches
2)Mining
3)Flooding areas of land as part of hydro electric power stations
4)Logging to sell the timber

Once the trees go, the soil becomes infertile in one or two years, making it poor for farming.
Hunting becomes more difficult for the people who live there as the habitat for wildlife is lost. Traditional people's cultures are also lost.

The effects of deforestation:

1)Trees are removed.
2)Trees do not protect soil so nutrients are washed out by the rain.
3)Soil is now less fertile and the unprotected surface becomes dry and compacted.
4)It is hard for rain to soak into the soil, so flooding may occur.
5)New trees grow more slowly and there are less species.

Possible alternatives to deforestation:

You may think that the obvious solution to the problems of deforestation is simply to stop people cutting the trees down.
However, it's not always as straightforward as that. Most of the countries that have rainforests are trying to cope with poverty, debt and high rates of population growth.
Can they be blamed for trying to make some money?

Here are some alternatives to deforestation on a big scale:

1)A mixture of different crops and trees are planted together. This variety helps prevent insect damage and soil erosion, as well as maintaining natural soil fertility.
2)Banning sales of valuable hard wood e.g. mahogany.
3)Less economically developed countries could have some of their debts reduced in return for setting up projects to protect their rainforests.
4)Increased world trade in rainforest products at fair prices.
5)National Rainforest Parks e.g. Korup in Cameroon. These act as wildlife reserves and may make some money through careful tourism.
6)Portable sawmills to reduce damage caused by motor vehicles bringing logs to permanent sites.
7)Reserves for people already living in the rainforests so that local land rights and lifestyles can be respected.

The global effects of deforestation:

1)The destruction of the rainforest is reducing the number of species of plants and animals as there are many species unique to different rainforests.
2)The destruction of the rainforest may lead to the loss of valuable plants that could be useful to people in the future e.g. medicines or crops.
3)The changes in humidity in deforested areas are creating less rainfall and having knock-on effects on savannah climates to the North and South. Rainfall is becoming more unpredictable.
4)The destruction of the rainforest is likely to increase the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. However this is a minor effect compared to burning fossil fuels for industry and transport.
5)Some scientists think the destruction of the rainforest is increasing global warming but others say climate change is natural. There have been cold and warm periods on Earth in the past.

Myths about deforestation:

1)The destruction of the rainforest is NOT increasing ozone in the atmosphere. This is due to chemicals (CFCs) released into the atmosphere by people.
2)The destruction of the rainforest is NOT making people short of breath as there is plenty of oxygen in the air to breathe.

Other information:

It is estimated that 7.5 million hectares of rainforest are being cut down each year - that is the same as 20 football pitches every minute.
However, there is an area of rainforest the size of western Europe remaining in South America.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_4560000/newsid_4563300/4563353.stm

Brazil and Amazon deforestation

posted by Julie :)

Brazil sets target to slow Amazon deforestation
David Ljunggren, Associated Press in Sao Paulo
The Guardian, Wednesday December 3 2008
Article history

Brazil plans to boost spending and programmes to significantly slow the rate of destruction of the Amazon rainforest by 2017, aiming to reduce global warming by slashing the amount of carbon dioxide emitted when trees are burned.
The plan, announced by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Monday, is the first time Brazil has set specific goals regarding deforestation reduction.
Environment minister Carlos Minc said the plan would slow the rate of destruction by 72% when compared with the 7,330 square miles lost on average each year between 1996 and 2005.
The new proposal would boost federal patrols of forested areas, replant forest, and finance sustainable development projects to give locals alternative work in areas where illegal logging dominates the economy.
"We need to offer help them with one hand, but with the other we have to tell them there will be punishment if they don't pay attention to environmental preservation," Lula said, without describing those penalties.
He did not say how much the plan would cost.
Deforestation - both the burning and rotting of Amazon wood - releases an estimated 400 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every year, making Brazil at least the sixth biggest emitter of the gas in the world.
The country slowed deforestation by 60% between 2005 and 2007, but officials said last week that destruction had accelerated slightly in the past year, as rising soy and beef prices prompt farmers to carve more fields and pastures from the rainforest.


http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/dec/03/forests-brazil-amazon-carbon-emissions

A Song About Chico Mendes

The reason why I wrote my post on Chico Mendes (see previous post below) is because one of my favorite songs is about him. The song is by a very famous Mexican rock band called Maná. I thought you all might like to hear it too, just click here to see a YouTube video of a live Maná recording. I've also translated the lyrics below so that you guys can get a better understanding of just how his death was felt by many around the world.

“Cuando Los Angeles Lloran” -Maná

A chico Méndez lo mataron
Era un defensor y un ángel de toda la amazonia
él murío a sangre fría
Lo sabía Collor De Melo y también la policia
Cuando los ángeles lloran
Lluvia cae sobre la aldea
Lluvia sobre el campanario
Pues alguién murió
Un ángel cayó
Un ángel murio
Un ángel se fue
Y no volverá
Cuando el asesino huía
Chico Méndez se moría
La selva se ahogaba en llanto
él dejó dos lindos crios
Una esposa valerosa
y una selva en agonia
Cuando los ángeles lloran
Es por cada árbol que muere
Cada estrella que se apaga, oh no
Un ángel cayó
Un ángel murio
Un ángel se fue
Y no volverá
Un ángel cayó
Un ángel murio
Un ángel se fue
Se fue volando en madrugada
Cuando los ángeles lloran
Cuando los ángeles lloran, lloverá
Cuando los ángeles lloran
Cuando los ángeles lloran, lloverá
Cuando los ángeles lloran
Cuando los ángeles lloran, lloverá
Cuando los ángeles lloran
Cuando los ángeles lloran, lloverá.


"When Angels Weep" Translation -Nicole

They killed Chico Mendez
Who was a defender and an angel of the Amazon
He died in cold blood
Collor De Melo and the police knew
When angels weep
Rain falls on the village
Rain falls on the bell tower
Because someone has died
An angel has fallen
An angel has died
An angel has left
And will never return
As the assassin fled
Chico Mendez was dying
The rainforest was drowning in despair
He left behind two beautiful children
A valiant wife
And a rainforest in agony
When angels weep
It is for every tree that dies
Every star that turns out, oh no
An angel has fallen
An angel has died
An angel has left
And will never return
An angel has fallen
An angel has died
An angel has left
He went flying at dawn
When angels weep
When angels weep, it shall rain
When angels weep
When angels weep, it shall rain
When angels weep
When angels weep, it shall rain
When angels weep
When angels weep, it shall rain

Chico Mendes

Amazon deforestation is a huge topic that can be looked at from many different perspectives. Of the countless stories of personal struggle in the rain forest, one has touched me the most; the story of Chico Mendes. I'll briefly tell you his story and, if you are interested, I'll provide books and articles to read more about him.

Chico Mendes was a rubber tapper from the Acre region of the Amazon. Rubber tapping is a sustainable resource extraction that does not damage the trees of the forest and has been practiced for hundreds of years. The tappers collect sap from the rubber tree as well as other fruits, nuts and medicinal plants of the forest. Ranchers have been the greatest threat to rubber tappers because they run the tappers off their land, often brutally, and then clear the forest to raise cattle.

In the late 1980s the rubber tappers united in a movement to rescue their livelihoods, and those of the indigenous people of the Amazon, from encroaching deforestation; their leader was Francisco (Chico) Mendes. He successfully formed The National Rubber Tappers Council, which was created to help develop alternative proposals for Amazon forest and extractive reserves. The reserves allowed those who lived on the land, like the rubber tappers, to continue living there as long as they did so in a sustainable manner. The policies were socially equitable and environmentally sustainable, compared to the destructive ranching methods. Mendes gained not only local followers but eventually formed international alliances with non-governmental organizations, environmental activists etc... This is because the movement was both a social justice movement and an environmental movement, meaning it gained attention from many groups. As the fight to save the Amazon from cattle ranchers became more and more heated, the lives of the leaders of the movement, especially Mendes', were more and more at risk.

One night in December 1988, to the shock and surprise of both his wife, two children and the world, Chico Mendes was shot and killed. Many other Brazilian rural workers and their supporters were killed during this time, but Chico Mendes' death was the most shocking of all. During his fight to save the tropical forest he gained many powerful and dangerous enemies. To this day it is not certain who killed Chico Mendes, but it was most likely an order from one of the many cattle ranchers who lost land due to Mendes' movement.

This story illustrates how powerful land rights are and the destruction that can occur if land is managed improperly. In the Amazon, many people continue to suffer from deforestation as others make a profit from it. The devastating story of Chico Mendes provides one perspective from which to view this ongoing struggle, but it is one that has inspired many into action.

References and further readings:

Andrew Revkin. THE BURNING SEASON: The Murder of Chico Mendes and the Fight for the Amazon Rain Forest. 1990.

Chico Mendes. FIGHT FOR THE FOREST: Chico Mendes In His Own Words. 1989.

Margaret E. Keck. "Social Equity and Environmental Politics in Brazil: Lessons from the Rubber Tappers of Acre." Comparative Politics. 27.4 (1995) 409-424.

Beth A. Conklin and Laura R. Graham. "The Shifting Middle Ground: Amazonian Indians and Eco-Politics." American Anthropology. 97.4 (1995) 695-710.