Should Rainforests be Preserved?

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Should Rainforests be Preserved?

It’s very easy to say rainforests should be preserved when you come from a more economically developed country, with wealth, vast food supply and education. But is it so easy to say yes when you come from a less economically developed country, with little income, hardly any education and limited food supplies. Most forest clearings are still by local people and tribes needing land. This is obvious from the start coming from a less economically developed country such as Brazil, you need to destroy some forest just to survive.

     A average Brazilian may have lost his farm job due to a drought, this gives the man no money or new prospects. When he hears that the government would give him a house and land in the Amazonia. He is hardly going to turn it down is he? He needs this so he can earn a living and support his family. Surely small patches of land like his won’t make much difference to the huge forest all around him? There are nearly three million land-less people in Brazil- What’s worse knocking down a few trees to provide for these 3 million people or letting these people die of starvation, dehydration or any other numerous disease.

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     Many less economically developed countries have rapid growing populations. More people means more food is needed to provide for these people. Again what is worse destroying a small area for growing crops so these people have something to eat or letting them die of starvation?

     Brazil cannot afford to let large forest areas empty and unused. They need to earn money from export forest products like timber and iron ore. They also have the responsibility of providing their country with jobs. By opening up the Amazonia and exploiting it’s vast resources, they can do this. ...

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