20.4 Deforestation of the tropical rainforests in Brazil – a challenge for the future
Rainforests are disappearing at a rate of about 40 hectares per minute, day and night. Its clearance is having a major impact on the world and its people. Deforestation rates are closely linked to performance of the Brazilian economy. Rates increase during times of economic growth and slow down during economic recession.
1. Overpopulation and poverty in Brazilian cities creates political difficulties. There is a drive to encourage people to leave the favelas and move to farms in the forest. In some cases, land is given to these people free of charge.
2. The government wants to open up the Brazilian rainforest to exploit its timber and mineral wealth so that it can sell them to high consumption rich nations. Forest is cleared to create access to these mineral reserves.
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3. Beef producers require more land to herd massive numbers of cattle for the beef trade. Forest is cleared for ranching. Forest is also cleared for huge soya bean plantations.
4. Brazilian industry requires more power if it is to develop and maintain its industrial strength. Forest is drowned under huge reservoirs as rivers are dammed.
Licences are given to mining companies to clear forests and mine for metals such as iron ore and copper. Timber companies are given rights to remove forest and sell timber abroad. The Brazilian government receives some of the profits made by these companies. This money is used to pay interest on the national debt. Roads are being built across the Amazon forest to create access for logging