80% of Amazon Deforestation Stems from Cattle Ranching
Greenpeace Brazil has released a report at the World Social Forum in Belém showing that up to 80 percent of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest is due to an increase in raising cattle for human consumption.
Brazil has quickly become the largest exporter of beef in the world, but they are not satisfied with their current market share and plan to increase production. The plan flies in the face of their supposed commitment to tackle climate change. The country is currently the fourth biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, 75% of which stem from deforestation.
>> See Also: German Government Advisory: Eat Meat Only on Special Occasions
The map of Brazil above shows the concentration of cattle, mostly focused on the Mato Grosso region in the southwest. Greenpeace used a unique technique to prepare this and other maps in the report:
Our Amazon team used specialized techniques to analyze and compare satellite images of vegetation (or lack thereof) on the ground, and data showing the growth of infrastructure, such as roads and agribusiness. It is the first time that these two types of data have been put together in this way. Our maps in the report Amazon cattle footprint, clearly show how much former rainforest is now used for cattle pastures in Mato Grosso.
Unfortunately, similar as in the United States, the government fully backs the agriculture industry with many politicians firmly in the pockets of agribusiness. They’ve even recently proposed legislation to prevent environmental groups from setting up in the Amazon.
However, with the economy moving how it is, expansion is becoming less and less of an option.
What can you do? Try going vegetarian, or at least making sure the beef you’re eating comes from cows raised near where you live.
More information about the environmental impact of meat:
- UN’s Top Climate Scientist Urges People to Combat Climate Change by Eating Less Meat
- Meat is murder on the environment
- How poultry producers are ravaging the rural South
Jason-
Brazil is raising cattle to sell to america. they need massive amounts of land to graze and they strip the soil of all nutrients in a very short amount of time. Rainforest land can’t be used for farming it can only sustain really one crop before becoming useless. Also, if we didn’t need to feed cattle, land used for feed could be used for growing human food. I don’t remember the exact number but a pound of beef requires like, 8-15 pounds of grain (mixed with the beef of sick cows).
Anyone interested in this who should read Mad Cowboy. It’s written by a reformed rancher and it explains the detrimental effects of cattle farming on the environment, health and etc.
Also if you can’t understand the difference between climate change and GLOBAL WARMTH…go die. Or don’t procreate. It’s the best thing for the environment.
It takes much more land to produce 1000 calories of beef than it does 1000 calories of plant food. Much more! This is the difference.
The problem is that we did cultivated all natural rich land, the land that is cultivated in Brazil is rain forest. After a few years the soil get washed away by monsoon, remember rain forest. And at that point the ground is nothing more than barren. So what can you do to keep growing your cattle, cut & burn more forest. If you can’t see this is a downturn than you’re not ever waking up to global warming.
The lungs of the earth are being “eaten” by humans… Did you know…?
Wild Idea Buffalo raises organic, native grass fed buffalo living on the prairie where they evolved, in their most natural possible state. Harvested humanely right on the prairie without the stress of transport, slaughterhouses, or feedlots. The meat is better for you and, when you buy Wild Idea, you are choosing to replenish the earth (because buffalo feed the circle of life here - not take from it) and voting against de-forestation. Think about it.
1. Deforestation of the Amazon will have (is having) a severe impact on global climate.
2. Forests are primarily cleared to produce/export wood. Gaining land for agriculture or cattle raising is a secondary driver. But this doesn’t mean, that this should be played down.
i think that we should all start eating babies instead.
We should all eat babies
i love me
Deforestation is hurting our planet (sad)
God made cows for us to eat them. End of story.