Comments on: Can Brazil save the Amazon?

By: Just how big in the Amazon? | Marc Gunther

Just how big in the Amazon? | Marc Gunther — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 18:01:36 +0000

[...] rain, flooding, etc.) While Brazil has made great strides in stopping illegal deforestation (See Can Brazil Save the Amazon?), protecting what’s left of the forest remains a daunting [...]

By: Lou Gold

Lou Gold — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 21:12:09 +0000

Hey Marc,

As they say in Brazil, “it’s complicated.”

Although stopping deforestation is critical, studies earlier this year indicated that even ZERO DEFORESTATION will not end the crisis coming to the Amazon basin. Global emissions and warming tropical North Atlantic waters are changing the rainfall patterns in the direction of more drought. Halting deforestation is about not making an already bad situation worse.

I blogged a more in-depth consideration of the issues at http://lougold.blogspot.com/2010/07/can-amazon-thrive-in-21st-century-title.html

Please take a look.

lou

By: Dave Gibson

Dave Gibson — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 15:51:02 +0000

Marc, Suggest you keep an eye on exactly what “illegal logging” means in the Amazon and try to discern if some of the reduction in deforestation may be due to changes in definitions. While many of the policies recently set in place require conservation of a percentage of native forests (say 80% in Amazonas) these changes may also be accelerating conversion to agriculture or plantations of natural areas that are not reserved accordingly. Also worth looking at timber markets to determine if the reduction in logging has resulted in an increase in stumpage values or lumber prices and if not why not? Unless the value of forests goes up, and management intensifies to achieve economic and ecological goals, there is little reason to believe conservation objectives can be sustianed. Dave

By: Craig Shields

Craig Shields — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 05:06:43 +0000

Thanks, Marc, for highlighting the substantial worth of the intact rainforest, both in terms of carbon sequestration and in terms of the inestimable value of its biodiversity. I’m looking forward to your reporting on what the environment minister has to say about roads and other related issues.

As you point out, Brazil has suffered an average of 5750 square miles of rainforest loss every year for the past 40 years.

According to a study entitled “Human Pressure on the Brazilian Amazon Forests”, the mean yearly rate of deforestation was 18% higher in 2000 to 2005 than in the previous five years. In January of 2007, National Geographic reported that with deforestation progressing at the rate current at that time, by 2027 the Amazon rainforest will be reduced by 40%.

It would be a tragedy of untold proportions if this were allowed to occur, and I’m grateful that you’re shining a light on the process.

Craig Shields
Editor
2GreenEnergy.com