Brazil losing battle for Amazon jungle

[fishypoo2]

In the heart of what is known in Brazil's Amazon as the arc of deforestation, it is clear that the fight to save the jungle is being lost.

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/3919BC06-5688-48B9-9249-DB3F07B61122.htm

[125gJoe]

Interesting - although I have a permanent predjudice against anything from Aljazeera(dot)net .

[fishypoo2]

Aljazeera is definitely different than U.S. Media, that much is certain. It's simply from a different point of view. Many say that U.S. media is strongly biased and influences the views of Americans. I however, have not taken a side on the issue and prefer to look into different perspectives on current news.
Besides, this article dosen't concern either the U.S. or Middle East directly... (It's not even an Aljazeera report, but from Reuters news service)
Brazilian environmental problems also seem to frequent Aljazeera lately, more than on CNN, my local newspaper (Providence Journal), or MSNBC combined. That, I appreciate.

Other related links:
Brazil's other disappearing rainforest http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/F8647F3F-64B8-4333-8A8E-8F51E359A388.htm
Amazon reduced by 10,000 square miles http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7907725/
Brazil monkeys stare extinction in the face http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/CAB6B9A0-21E5-4C55-9D38-ED2F6AEE8B46.htm
Dramatic changes in Amazon forests http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/0DCF96E7-679F-4069-BAF5-206107C67DEA.htm
Amazon deforestation adds to warming trend http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6870856/
Bio-piracy in the Amazon http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/FB40D136-0DA9-438D-AE47-739CF8D47871.htm

[Holly9937]

I've heard alot about this lately, its really sad. But its a hard situation. I wish we could save everything, I'm a huge environmentalist. But how can we go to another country and say you can't do that, even though it may be their living, just because we in America have already destroyed so much of our own natural places?!?! I think its necessary, but very hypocritical in some ways. What is also disturbing is that most people won't care or do anything about it. Its a fleeting news story, we say hey thats too bad and go about our day. People have learned to become so desensitized to anything that doesn't directly impact them. I just hope the cures for the worlds diseases aren't being lost along with the forest...

[125gJoe]

..... Its a fleeting news story, we say hey thats too bad and go about our day. People have learned to become so desensitized to anything that doesn't directly impact them. I just hope the cures for the worlds diseases aren't being lost along with the forest...What's also strange is we are losing our most valued, most important scientists as well. It's no big deal until it's too late.

Link:
Dead Scientists... (http://www.stevequayle.com/dead_scientists/UpdatedDeadScientists.html)

[OrionGirl]

...But how can we go to another country and say you can't do that, even though it may be their living, just because we in America have already destroyed so much of our own natural places?!?!

One thing is to buy products that are made of woods harvested in renewable fashions. More and more timber companies are joining organizations that have strict guidelines for how wood can be collected, restoration plans, etc. By purchasing woods that are collected properly, the market for the 'poached' lumber vanishes--if there's no profit, they'll quit. And, we can encourage other nations to follow suit.

America is working on restoring the damage inflicted in the past. Companies in many inductries are realizing that it's much cheaper to harvest responsibly than to clean up the mess. Sharing these methods and experiences will help as well.

[fishypoo2]

One thing is to buy products that are made of woods harvested in renewable fashions. More and more timber companies are joining organizations that have strict guidelines for how wood can be collected, restoration plans, etc. By purchasing woods that are collected properly, the market for the 'poached' lumber vanishes--if there's no profit, they'll quit. And, we can encourage other nations to follow suit.

America is working on restoring the damage inflicted in the past. Companies in many inductries are realizing that it's much cheaper to harvest responsibly than to clean up the mess. Sharing these methods and experiences will help as well.

I very much agree with your first point. But, on your second point, I have something to say. I don't like bashing my president, but I feel he's done a lot of things to deserve it (not just the president, mind you). For instance the recent allowance of oil drilling in ANWR (Alaska National Wildlife Refuge), and opening up millions of miles of untouched forest land to logging and mining companies, and cutting money for scientific research and such.

[OrionGirl]

Well, I never said the president was doing a dang thing. But most State governments are working hard to preserve and restore habitat. Local and International companies with CH is America are working hard, too. America must be more than just one high profile figure head, right? :)

[125gJoe]

I'm very curious. What countries would understand, and try to manage their forests? There must be some, but I'm at a loss... (Cananda does not apply.. :))

[fishypoo2]

...America must be more than just one high profile figure head, right? :)

It is, and luckily some of us realize what we need to do (or stop doing) to save the environment, and eventually ourselves.

[125gJoe]

..... .. .... and eventually ourselves.I hope this will happen!

Some that have more knowledge, and a good reason for that know --- overpopulation could be a big problem. (Ooops - did I say "could ??) No way; "what does it mean, 'urban sprawl'?

[Holly9937]

Not to preach about the country, but I went their on my honeymoon and thought it was a great place... Costa Rica is taking huge steps to protect their natural resources. Something like 30% of the country is protected. They understand how important it is and also how much more they can make on tourism than cutting everything down. Even some of their natural parks are closed on certain days to visitors so that the area can "rest" if you will!!!! I think they set a good example for some of the similarly less developed countries, where its not too late to make a difference
:clap:

[slipknottin]

Weve made pretty significant strides from the days of clear cutting entire forests. The logging industry does do a pretty good job of not destroying the entire habitat. Farming destroys more forest than logging does (so much for the PETA vegetarian campaign, eh?) With more pressure we will continue to see the logging industry (at least in the US) depend more and more on new unique ways not to disturb the forest floor, wether its with light weight highly mobile vehicles, or using helicoptors to cut and airlift out certain trees. Logging roads/tree storage areas tend to cause more damage than the logging itself. But of course, these techniques are more expensive, and that price will appear in our lumber supply, probably resulting in us importing more wood.

Hence why the goverment has a role here. They need to not only mandate how to preserve our forests, but also how and where we purchase wood.

[slipknottin]

But how can we go to another country and say you can't do that, even though it may be their living, just because we in America have already destroyed so much of our own natural places?!?!

Heh, youd be suprised how much is involved in that topic. Geolibertarians have somewhat unique views on that topic (land rights and land ownership). But thats for another thread.

[fishypoo2]

Farming destroys more forest than logging does (so much for the PETA vegetarian campaign, eh?)

Not that I'm promoting PETA's ideas, but cattle ranching is the biggest threat to the Amazon, just above farming (plants), logging, and mining. Most of it ends up in European and American fast food chains.

[Holly9937]

There is alot of debate about that topic, I just find it somewhat ironic/hypocrital!! Now that we realize some of our mistakes, we want to tell other people not to make them, even though some of our "mistakes" are what has made the US a so called superpower...

[fishypoo2]

Appetite for destruction in the Amazon
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/4578357.stm

Amazon loggers clash with lost tribe
http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/americas/05/26/lost.tribe.reut/index.html

[Holly9937]

I think its really amazing that there are tribes of people out there who we may not even know exist, who have their own language, customs, etc. Sometimes when I watch the discovery channel about the different groups who live in the wilderness I wish I could just up and leave and go live with them!!! I think it would be nice to be ignorant of alot of the things that happen in the world.

[125gJoe]

I think its really amazing that there are tribes of people out there who we may not even know exist, who have their own language, customs, etc. ... ... It was 'interesting' to see a 'villager' shoot an arrow at a Military helicopter in the Tsunami damaged area.......

Enjoy your 'Ipods'.
:D

[fishypoo2]

Road cuts deep into Brazil's Amazon
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8007646/