Brazil Changes on Climate Change
| Wed Dec. 3, 2008 4:01 PM PST
The Brazilian government announced this week that it will curb Amazon deforestation by 70 percent over the next decade—an ambitious plan that will be formally presented at the UN climate change conference in Poland this week.
Home to the world's largest area of tropical woodlands, Brazil lost nearly 4,633 square miles of forest between 2007 and 2008. That's roughly the area of Connecticut. Previous efforts to limit deforestation include a recent crackdown on soy production.
Brazil's Environment Minister Carlos Minc said the plan should prevent 4.8 billion tons of carbon dioxide from being emitted through 2018.
America, take note.
—Nikki Gloudeman
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Comments
Never going to happen. Brazil has some of the best environmental legislation on the planet, but it is only as they famously say: "PARA INGLES VER". Translated: "Only for the English to see". Brazil loves putting into law/policy/their constitution things they have no intention whatsoever in enforcing/doing or upholding; they do so only to score points with the international community or curb criticism.
Note that this particular gem came out only days after it was announced that deforestation was AGAIN on the raise.
Fact of the matter is, the Brazilian government couldn't curb deforestation in the Amazon even if they wanted. They have no control over many regions in that lawless part of the world. Google the town "Paragominas" to see what happens when the government actually tries to crack down. This happened just two weeks ago.
To put this in perspective for all. 80% of the logging in the Amazon is already, according to the government's very own figures, ILLEGAL. So, if the government could enforce current laws, deforestation would already be reduced 10% MORE than their new stated target.
Submitted by Dog G (not verified) on Thu Dec. 4, 2008 3:02 AM PST.
Sadly, Ze you seem on the mark - there doesn't seem much we can do to stop the destruction.
I took care of my own guilt by getting a bunch of free carbon offsets. I feel much better. So will you.
