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
WE made cows, moron. Is there a difference between breeding and evolution? The euro-christian attitude of ‘this planet is ours to consume because we’re going to heaven so who gives a f#@$?’ is the reason we have climate change. End-game masonic armageddon craving babylon slime, OPEN YOUR EYES. Read “Guns, Germs, and Steel” and “Cradle to Cradle” and get your life on track. yeah you NATHAN
It is apparent that we need to conserve and preserve our rainforests and woodlands for many reasons. However, we as humans being the top of the food chain, should be stewards to our environment not necesarily because of nature’s asthetic beauty, but mainly so we can sustain our natural resources for later use. Using the land reckessly to create other products necesary products is a poor practice, however if used in an accountable manner, it is ok to use the land. The trees cut down could be used to turn a profit or even something like building materials in the local area. This is a somewhat utilitarian approach, but all I am saying is that if in moderation and in an accountable manner, we as humans should have the right to use natural resources for our legitimate needs where and when we have them.