By Hugh Scott
2/25/99
It was a brisk fall morning the day Juan Gamboa set out to find the local medicine man. Located deep within the Amazon, his village had existed for hundreds of years and his tribe totaled three hundred people. Juan was a young man and known throughout the community as one of it’s strongest, most courageous warriors. That is why he was chosen by his people to find the indigenous doctor, named Okala. It was a difficult journey, yet one that was crucial to complete. Unfortunately, a mysterious sickness had enveloped his village, killing many and leaving others fatally ill. In times of medical crisis, Juan’s people turned to a medicine man. However, this man was not easy to find. Located many miles away, in a remote area of the forest, Okala served numerous tribes in surrounding areas. Nonetheless, the future existence of Juan’s tribe depended on finding and returning with this doctor. On the fourth day of travel, Juan was nearing his destination. It was difficult to see ahead, but Juan could not fathom what he heard. A large rumbling and crashing in the distance startled him. Juan hurried ahead to a hill that overlooked the vast area of the medicine man’s home. Upon arriving, Juan could not believe his eyes. The once beautiful and luscious forest was now obliterated. In the distance, Juan could see the large tractors demolishing one tree after another, clearcutting land that held the cure to his tribes illness. To his dismay, the land of his ancestors was destroyed and more importantly, the medicine man was nowhere to be found.
This
short, fictional story is typical of what actually occurs within rainforests
across the world. In particular, the Brazilian Amazon continues to be depleted
and it’s resources destroyed. Thousands of acres of forest are cleared each year
in Amazonia to make way for cattle, logging, and human settlements. While the
proportion of the Brazilian Amazon which has been cleared is still relatively
small to the regions total area, the entire forest will disappear if the
explosive surge of clearing continues to take place. Society must recognize
that the rainforest is a great source of food and medicine. While the
government can generate quick economic gain to cover it’s mega-debt and
hyper-inflation, it is necessary to comprehend the damaging effects of
tampering with this precious ecosystem. Moreover, changes must be immediately
implemented and strongly enforced if we are to save an area so crucial to our
future existence.
While most
everyone has heard of the Amazon, few have any idea of just how vast the region
is. Depicted in countless films, illustrated in numerous pieces of literature,
and described in innumerable myths and legends, the Amazon is synonymous with
the imagination. It is difficult to truly grasp the enormity of such a region,
as dense forests and high rainfall define the most complex ecosystem throughout
the world. The Amazonian rainforest stretches 704,500 square kilometers across
nine South American countries including Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Columbia,
Ecuador, Venezuela, Guyana, Surinam, and French Guiana. Due to the thickness of
it’s forests, the Amazon is usually traveled by river, as there are more than
15,000 tributaries and 48,000 kilometers of navigable waters. Road construction
and maintenance are extremely difficult, so automobiles in this region are very
rare. The Amazon basin contains thirty percent of all known plant and animal
species in the world. There are 80,000 species of trees which house some of the
most rare creatures on the planet. For instance, this forest is home to the
world’s largest rodent, heaviest snake, and deadliest spiders. In addition, the
Amazon is utilized by the medical world as well. Within the forest lies a
myriad of ointments and cures that alleviate and eradicate the many illnesses
plaguing individuals across our globe. Many scientists believe the Amazon
contains valuable medicines that could act as possible antidotes for diseases
that puzzle modern medical practitioners,(Hecht,Susanna B.. “Amazonia: The
Future in the Balance.” Pg.231). However, as the destruction of the Amazon
continues, it is becoming less likely that such remedies will surface and the
ecosystems that the world depends upon will one day vanish.
A primary
cause for the needless deforestation of the Amazon is logging. The logging
industry thrives on finding the highest quality timber. One type of wood which
is greatly desired and found throughout
the Amazon is Mahogany. Thus, loggers buy acres of land and an abundance of
trees at relatively low prices, and turn the once tropical forest into barren
landscape. To create easier access to sporadically located trees, loggers and
timber companies have demolished more than 1500 miles of Amazonian forest.
Studies estimate that for each Mahogany tree destroyed, at least 3,000 square feet
of land are devastated. This Mahogany trade, headed by companies such as
Pacific Bell, GTE, and the New York Times leads to the rapid death of a unique
and precious environment.(Black, Jan Knippers. “Limits of Boob and Bust
Development:Challenge of the Amazon.” Pg.34).
Not only
does the logging trade play a pivotal role in the Amazon’s demise, but cattle
ranching is also a major contributor to the deforestation of this rainforest.
“Have you ever wondered where the meat for a Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, or
Whopper comes from?” Large corporations such as McDonalds and Burger King are
infamous for the desolation of rainforests across the world. These companies
buy inexpensive forest land to raise their cattle. Once the surrounding trees
have been cleared, the cattle can now graze the land. Groups like McDonalds
benefit from such low priced real estate. In the United States, land is more
costly and not as plentiful. These companies develop their cattle in
inexpensive areas and continue the lucrative meat provision However, once this
land is not usable by the cattle, more forest is destroyed and the animals then
have a new area to graze. In recent years, the “hamburger connection” has
received a great deal of attention. Outraged individuals have boycotted establishments
such as Burger King and demanded changes. While this mode of protest is a step
in the right direction, it not nearly enough to sway the interest from such
corporations from the Amazon,(2). Politicians must understand the future effect
of deforestation and make adequate provisions for businesses affiliated with
the Amazon.
A third
cause of deforestation in the Amazon results from human settlements. As land is
cleared for either cattle or logging, employees need a place to live. Instead
of commuting by either foot or automobile, these working individuals prefer to
live in close proximity’s of their job. Consequently, more land is demolished
to provide housing for the company’s employees. It is no secret that Amazonian
forest can purchased at relatively inexpensive prices. The lush, fertile soil
provides a perfect setting for human settlements. Ranchers, loggers, and even
unemployed individuals venture into the rainforest for an area to develop.
After clearing the settlement of trees and most vegetation, these people live
on the land until it is spoiled. When this occurs, these nomadic individuals
then leave their land devastated, and find a new area to fatally
develop.(Kolk,Ans. “From Conflict to Cooperation: International Policies To
Protect the Brazilian Amazon.”) The land within the Amazon is far too important
to waste. However, unless laws are created to abolish human settlements that
destroy Amazonian land, the rainforest will continue it’s collapse and one day
be a vast, deserted wasteland.
Many corporations
claim that they support the preservation of the Amazon, yet facts have surfaced
contradicting these statements and revealing the companies true agenda. Cause-
related marketing became a big business in the 1980’s. Everything from credit
cards to mutual funds were “affiliated with every politically correct cause
under the sun,”(McMath, Robert). Ben & Jerry’s, the entrepreneurial
ice-cream maker from Vermont has made such liberal causes the main theme of
it’s marketing efforts. For example, the Rainforest Crunch flavor was intended
to raise the consciousness of consumers about the destruction of tropical
rainforests. Supposedly, a portion of each sale was donated to the cause.
Recent reports have surfaced that some of the nuts within this ice-cream were
harvested on land that was burned or cut down. It is unfortunate that companies
like Ben & Jerry’s must lie for profit. Consumers must be aware of such
corporations true intentions and support a company not for what it claims but
what it does.
While the
Amazon continues to deplete, as does the indigenous population within these
dense forests. In the early 1500’s, close to three million people inhabited the
forest. Living amongst nature, these people developed ways to harmoniously
coexist with their environment. They developed ways to cultivate land without
destroying their fertile surroundings. Instead of devastating land, they
learned of the forests’ valuable attributes. For example, these people found numerous medical vaccines and
ointments that exist within modern society today. Regardless of deforestation,
many indigenous tribes still remain within the Amazon. However, due to the
development of the rainforest, these people are now forced to leave the land of
their ancestors and find new dwellings. As the land is destroyed, much of the
food and medicine needed by these natives to survive is obliterated,(5). As a
result, less than 200,000 people live within the Amazon and the number
continues to decline.
Brazil is
a country in economic despair. Since 1964, one constitutional government after
another has fallen victim to military coups. Today, Brazil is plagued by an
enormous debt and hyper-inflation that thrusts the country into economic
desperation. The denationalization of decision-making on crucial elements of
economic policy have forced the government to sell Amazonian land for a quick
economic gain. The large, billion dollar companies of the West can then buy
countless acres of the rainforest for greatly discounted prices. Regardless of
these corporations intentions, the Brazilian government disperses large amounts
of land in order to salvage their economy. While this short term solution may
remedy their monetary dilemma, the environmental backlash of such actions will
eventually pose an international crises. The abundance of vegetation within the
rainforest detoxifies the planet’s atmosphere. Without this plant life, no one
is safe from the increasing carbon monoxide that will one day engulf
oustratosphere,(Fearnside, Phillip M.. “Deforestation in Brazilian Amazonia.”).
Sadly, Brazilian lawmakers either fail to realize the importance of preserving
the Amazon or are too consumed with economic profit to care of their country’s
future.
There are
solutions to problem of deforestation. One such remedy involves the
co-operation of individuals across the world. First of all, people must gain
accurate knowledge of the rainforest situation and the possible effects of
continued clearing. This can be obtained via the press. In recent years there
has been little published regarding the destruction of the rainforest in
proportion with it’s outstanding importance to our future existence.
Newspapers, magazines, and television stations alike must make the public aware
of the rainforest crises. While extensive coverage is not needed, the press
must educate the people of the world. In turn, concerned individuals can then
organize mass boycotts of products that lend a hand in deforestation. These
actions will subsequently lower the profit of the large corporations and make
them re-think their production policies. Another solution for preserving the
Amazon is enforcing trade penalties on companies choosing to conduct their
business in Brazilian forests. If heavy
taxes are levied or fines distributed for clearcutting, this will deter many
people or corporations from using this land for personal, economic gain. Why
would a company choose to export beef, wood, or other tradable products when it
know it will be sanctioned? Not only would such groups profit considerably less,
but also force them to look elsewhere for developing their products. It is
important that society take this situation seriously and look for effective
ways to handle the deforestation problem.
Every
second 2.4 acres of rainforest are destroyed. In one minute, one hundred and
forty nine acres are demolished. In one year, 78 million acres of tropical
rainforests are cleared. Scientists estimate that if deforestation continues at
current rates, almost all tropical rainforest ecosystems will be annihilated by
the year 2030. The Brazilian Amazon is the world’s largest rainforest, yet in
great danger of extinction. The cause of this deforestation rests in logging,
human settlements and cattle ranching. Large companies such as McDonalds,
Burger King, and Ben & Jerry’s play critical roles in this areas demise. It
is time for us as a people to start making some changes. Our future depends on
restricting both corporations and independent groups from turning fertile
rainforest landscapes into sterile
deserts. Amending this situation will take time and the collaboration of many,
but is ultimately imperative for our survival.
Bibliography
1.)
Barnett,
Adrea. “David and Goliath”(dispute between environmental groups and timber
companies over rainforests). Amicus Journal v20, n4. Winter 1999. Pgs. 25-27.
2.) Black, Jan Knippers. “Limits of boom and bust development: challenge of the Amazon”. USA Today(Magazine) v121, n2574. March 1993. Pgs. 34-37.
3.)
Fearnside, Phillip M.. “Deforestation in Brazilian Amazonia.” Ecologist v15,
n3. Oct.- Nov. 1989.
4.)
Hecht, Susanna B.. “Amazonia: The Future in the Balance.” Ecologist v19, n6.
Nov.- Dec. 1989. Pgs. 229-235.
5.)
Kolk, Ans. “From Conflict to Cooperation: International Policies to protect the
Brazilian Amazon.” World Development v26, n8. August 1998.
6.)
McMath, Robert. “What Were They Thinking?” American Demographics v19, n8. August 1997.