Satellite Imaging Reveals Increased Amazon Deforestation
conservation, environmental monitoring, imagery January 25th, 2008
Data just released by Brazil’s National Space Research Agency (INPE) shows increased rates of forest clearing and fires in the final months of 2007. This ends a three-year period of substantial reductions in the area of rainforest cleared each year, and has brought immediate emergency action from the Brazilian government to stem the destruction.
The government plans to publish a black-list of landowners and companies found to have breached environmental laws and aim to freeze new timber licenses in areas with the worst deforestation record, among other measures.
See stories in The Guardian and The Telegraph for more information.
Posts
January 25th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
Hmmm another consequence of the rush to expand biofuels, at least in part.
Kinda the same problem in SE Asia.
http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,druck-530550,00.html
KoS
January 27th, 2008 at 11:39 pm
I think that thev Brazilian government’s plan is good, but I am not sure how well it can fight the economic incentives that drives the massive deforestation we see now. I think that another step to be taken is to give a counter-incentive to keep these trees alive. If local governments and municipalities will be paid to protect these trees, then they have an economic value as live trees. If this value will be high enough, then it will be worthwhile to keep them alive.
I think the measures should be based on the stick and the carrot both and not only rely on the stick. Give local communities the carrot and I promise you that you will see deforestation figures decrease again.
I also think it shouldn’t be the sole responsibility of the Brazilian government to take care of it. The Brazilian rain forest is called “the lungs of the world” for its ability to consume greenhouse gases and produce oxygen, and hence I believe the world should chip in.
Just last week I wrote on our blog on Norway’s announcement on its willingness to contribute about $500 million a year to projects aimed at protecting forests in developing countries. I think this kind of funding (and of course other countries should contribute as well) can make some good in Brazil and help Lula protect this precious natural resource.
Raz Godelnik
Eco-Libris
http://www.ecolibris.net