'Deforestation in the Amazon benefits some people at the moment. It also causes problems for other people, both in Brazil and the rest of the world.'

Authors Avatar
Deforestation

Introduction

This assignment is based on Key Idea 2: Problems can arise when one group

pursues its own interests to the detriment of others.

Deforestation in the Amazon has led to conflicting interests in the Amazon

region. Potentially it can affect societies worldwide through global

warming.

In this assignment, I will agree or disagree with the following hypothesis:

'Deforestation in the Amazon benefits some people at the moment. It also

causes problems for other people, both in Brazil and the rest of the world.'

In order to draw up a conclusion to the hypothesis, I will be looking at

the different types of developments, which have already taken place in

Brazil and also, the different reasons as to why Brazil should be developed

and why it shouldn't.

I will conclude my assignment by analysing the evidence that I have

gathered.

Since the 1960's, several types of developments have taken place in the

Amazon rainforest. Brazil has the largest foreign debt of any developing

country at over $100 billion. If this debt were ever to be repaid, a vast

amount of money would be needed. This money would be available if Brazil

developed its rainforest.

Many foreign loans and multinational investments were taken out by

Brazil during the 'Brazilian Miracle' of the 1960's and '70's in which

large-scale projects made Brazil into a modern industrial nation. This

'miracle' left Brazil with enormous debts. Although this created thousands

of jobs, the gap between the poor and rich continued to grow.

Despite the fact that Brazil now has a trade surplus, the interest payments

on the loans are forever increasing, and there is no way that Brazil can

reduce its debt - unless the rainforest is developed.

In Brazil, there is a huge inequality between the rich and the poor - 1% of

the population owns 45% of the land.

Large areas of the Amazon rainforest have been destroyed as governments

have tried to develop it to make Brazil a better country.

Some estimates suggest that a fifth of the Amazon rainforest was cleared

between 1960 and 1990. It is also estimated that approximately 7.5 million

hectares of rainforest are being cut down each year.

This is extremely unlikely to be replaced. The Amazon rainforest is in

extreme danger. Developments such as deforestation are proving to be a huge

problem.

Developments that have taken place

Numerous types of developments have taken place in the Amazon rainforest.

The aim of this is to bring wealth to the area by using its natural

resources.

. A large amount of iron ore, gold, copper, bauxite and other minerals have

been discovered in the rainforest. Mining companies have cut down trees to

get to these deposits. An example of this is the Carajas Iron Ore Project;

this is what led to highway building.

A lot of new roads have been built in the rainforest for transport and

commuting. The longest is the Trans-Amazonian Highway, a 5300km (3300miles)

long road, built across Brazil from east to west. Other major highways,

which were built, are the Belém-Brasília Highway (from Brasília to Belém)

and the Northern Perimeter Highway.

An unlimited water supply and ideal river conditions have led to the
Join now!


development of many hydro-electric power (HEP) stations. Over 125 new HEP

dams are built. One main example of an HEP dam is the Tucuri Dam. The

reservoirs behind the dams flood large areas of the forest.

Vast areas of the forest have been bought have been bought by

multi-national companies for cattle ranching. These companies have burnt

down the forest and replaced the trees with grass.

For and Against Developing the Amazon

The Amazon rainforest has had many kinds of developments such as mining,

farming, ...

This is a preview of the whole essay