The fires currently ravaging Amazon forests have turned the world’s attention towards Brazil, and its new right-wing government. However, it would seem the attention of the world isn’t enough to stop such ecologic catastrophes from happening in the future.
What is especially pressing and difficult is the state of indigenous peoples living in the area, and how the changes in Brazilian politics will affect them. For these groups, the issues of Brazil’s forests and agriculture have formed an ongoing struggle.
Local Tribes
Local tribes living in Amazonia have been there for centuries, but do not share a common history. Instead, the history of the area is one of local conflicts and division. Recently however, tribes have come together as environmental concerns become more of a pressing issue.
They have seen the efforts of the new Brazilian government as a common threat, and have taken legal measures to stop them. Deforestation of the Amazon is the government’s long term plan, and tribal leaders have taken a stance against it.
Governmental Policy
The government has a new policy towards the rain forest, and its role in Brazilian agriculture. Simply put, the government seeks to remove the region’s forest, transforming the land into farms. This makes sense, if the goal is to export agricultural goods. However, there are environmental concerns at hand, as well as the issue of life and property of the locals living in the area, whose lives would be disturbed by the fires.
The Importance of the Rain Forest
There are numerous ways in which the rain forest is vital for the environment. Foremost, it is one of the world’s largest ecosystems and is essential for creating oxygen through the process of photosynthesis. This was on everyone’s mind initially, with protestors carrying signs that read “hold your breath” as they pleaded with the government to stop the fires.
The rain forests also play a major role in the water system of Brazil, and the global ecosystem as a whole. Trees take in water through their roots, releasing it into the atmosphere through a process known as evapotranspiration.
What Will Happen?
At this point, it is crucial to prepare for what will happen if deforestation continues. This has been a growing trend for some time now, and chances are that it will continue to happen in the years ahead.
Immediate effects will be on water levels and evapotranspiration, leading to less windfall which will affect flora, rendering it sparse and weak. This means the forest will continue to decline, even when there are no more fires.
World Wildfire Fund
World Wildfire Fund is an NGO that follows the state of forests around the world, and how the wildfires affect them. Their report on Amazon is bleak, with data showing that 17% of the rainforest was lost in the past 50 years. Data also reveals that the number of wildfires has increased by 50% in the last year.
Experts disagree about the speed and level of changes this can create. Some say the rainforest will transform into a savanna, while others believe it will first become what is known as a seasonal rainforest.
What to Do?
This is not an easy question to answer, and only the Brazilian government can truly find a solution. There is no way for the international community to assist, without entering a complicated conflict with Brazil. However, there are things that could be done within Brazil without sacrificing important agricultural jobs.
The answer lies in sustainable agriculture, which could help create food while maintaining the health of the environment. This is a long term goal to strive for.