Environmental Impact of Amazon Deforestation: A Comprehensive Report

Desklib provides solved assignments and past papers to help students succeed.

qwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyui
opasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfgh
jklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvb
nmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwer
tyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopas
dfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzx
cvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmq
wertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuio
pasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghj
klzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbn
mqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwerty
uiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdf
DEFORESTATION OF AMAZON RAINFOREST
5/24/2019

Table of Content
Introduction:....................................................................................................................................2
Discussion:.......................................................................................................................................2
Conclusion:......................................................................................................................................4
Reference List:.................................................................................................................................5
2

Introduction:
The assignment discusses the causes of deforestation of Amazon rainforest and suggests some of
the most reliable ways to counter the problem. Currently, many global organizations have
declared deforestation is one of the most imminent threats to all living being on earth.
Unfortunately, the magnitude of the problem has reached its critical state, and there is no
immediate ways to counter it. Solution can only be achieved if approached in a systematic
manner.
Discussion:
Amazon is the biggest rainforest on earth. It is extremely rich is biodiversity and has always
played a crucial role in existence of humanity. However, with the dawn of industrial age,
Amazon witnessed a massive deforestation which has increased in exponential pace since last
decade. Satellite images have confirmed massive areas of Amazon to be wiped away. To make
the matter even worse, even though efforts from many international organizations to lower the
problem, it has failed to deliver expected results. Deforestation of Amazonian started when the
European settlers used it as the primary source of expansion of their economic status. With every
cycle of economic boom Amazon witnessed a massive loss in their biodiversity. So as so, the
native people of the region have witnessed a major change in the regional environment. The
effects of wiping out massive areas of rainforest need no further introduction (Ramírez et al.
2018).
Deforestation is considered as one of the biggest threats on the face of earth. A number of
experts have commented that, in order to lower the magnitude of the issue, the root causes of
deforestation needs to be addressed. Unfortunately, the root causes of the problem have a number
of layers which covers the main factor of the issue. Some of the basic layers of the factors are
illustrated below:
 Expansion of agricultural fields: the native people of Amazon rainforest had a very
different approach of growing their agriculture. However, all that was changed with the
arrival of European settlers. The European settlers started to wipe out a major portion of
the Amazon rainforest to expand their agriculture, thus systematically destroying the
3

rainforest. Today, with, massive increases of global population, the demand for more
agricultural lands are increasing at a rapid pace. In 2008, Indonesian which is known as
the largest producer of palm oil was recognized by Guinness World Records the fastest
forest destroyer. Similar horrible incidents have been occurring in Amazon rainforest for
more than a century.
 Increase of livestock: as stated before, the factors which are contributing for destruction
of Amazon rainforest are not single rather it is a rather multi layered. In agricultural
lands, gazing of livestock is a common phenomenon. Unfortunately, this is also a major
contributor for destruction of Amazon rainforest. In Brazil alone, which is one of the
largest beef exporters in world, lost almost three forth of its rainforest in the year 1990.
The fact clearly highlights the magnitude of the problem. Unfortunately, instead of
lowering the problem, the government authorities of the country have neglected the issue
and continue with the destruction of their rainforest (Munro 2018).
 Logging: logging allows the people involved with the activity to earn them a short term
income. However, the problem does not lie in the activity, rather uncontrolled and illegal
logging is to be blamed for contributing in the problem. Due to cutting down of tress for
its timber whose demand is rising at an exponential rate; it is not possible to meet the
demands in a legal manner. Hence, a huge number of individuals are involved in the
activity. Unfortunately, they are also aided by local administration which makes the
matter far worse. The activity brings around billions of dollars of income hence is a
number of organized criminals has a keen interest in the particular activity (Inoue 2018).
 Overpopulation: with advancement of technology especially in the medical fields has
lowered the global mortality rate. Hence, the world since last decade witnessed a
tremendous explosive rise of global population. This is one of the most highlighting
factors which contributing majorly in the problem. It is estimated that, today more than 7
billion people is roaming on the face of the earth. In the prehistoric age, it accumulated
more or less 10 to 15 million people. More the people, more the demands.
 Irresponsible economic expansion: global economy is at its peak today. However, this
expansion came at a huge cost. Unfortunately, a majority of the global population has
invested so much of their intellectual activities in the act, they have neglected the price.
This is the very core of deforestation (Ribeiro et al. 2019).
4

Many global organizations are aware regarding the effect of massive deforestation in Amazon.
With rapid change in global environment which is considered to be one of the biggest threats to
all of its biodiversity, it is high time to mitigate the degree of deforestation in Amazon.
Although, the effects cannot be reversed in overnight, some of the most effective ways to reduce
deforestation is described below:
 Raising awareness on the ground level should be very first step. Planting a single tree in
the backyard every now and then, can slowly change the course of the environment.
 Extremely strict laws need to be implemented in the areas in which criminal activities
such illegal logging and poaching is carried on (May 2018).
 Simple lifestyle changes such as consumption of lesser domestic power or switching to a
vegan diet can do wonder.
 Reducing paper consumption is another great way to lower the problem of deforestation.
Conclusion:
In order to finally conclude, it needs to be stated that the root cause of deforestation is the greed
and irresponsible activity of human beings towards nature. Unfortunately, the damage caused
due to deforestation is so massive that it cannot be fully reversed. If the global leaders are not
united against the issue, it would cause massive death toll in the near future. Being more
responsible towards nature and controlling personal demands is the best ways to mitigate the
problem.
5

Reference List:
Inoue, C.Y.A., 2018. Worlding the Study of Global Environmental Politics in the Anthropocene:
Indigenous Voices from the Amazon. Global Environmental Politics, 18(4), pp.25-42.
May, J. and Daly, E., 2018. Global Climate Constitutionalism and Justice in the Courts. Global
Climate Constitutionalism, Forthcoming.
Munro, C., 2018. Native and exotic tree leaves contributions to formation of different soil
organic matter pools.
Ramírez, I., Lee, J. and Grady, S., 2018. Mapping Multi-Disease Risk during El Niño: An
Ecosyndemic Approach. International journal of environmental research and public
health, 15(12), p.2639.
Ribeiro, M.C. and Branford, S., 2019. The hydroelectric threat to the Amazon basin. Voices of
Latin America: Social Movements and the New Activism, p.121.
6