subject: Amazon Rainforest - Why It Counts [print this page] Amazon Rainforest - Why It Counts Amazon Rainforest - Why It Counts
The Amazon rainforest is one of the last remaining places in the world to survive the onslaught of human settlement and development. At the dawn of humankind, much of Earth's surface was covered with trees. The Middle East, England, Europe, and most of America and Africa were largely lush, green environments that poured oxygen into the atmosphere.
According to author and scientist Jarred Diamond, the historical decline of numerous civilizations is scientifically linked to deforestation. Farming on deforested land depleted the soil's nutrients, causing crop-failure and mass starvation. Without food and accessible wood for fuel and building, societies collapsed. This illustrates why deforestation in the Amazon rainforest is a critical issue - our civilization is now global.
The Amazon rainforest is the world's most species-diverse spot. Currently home to 2.5 million different species of insects, about 2000 mammals and birds, and thousands of plant species, one in every five bird species is indigenous to this area. Some experts calculate that each square kilometre has over 75,000 different tree species and 150,000 other plants.
Representing half of Earth's remaining 'lungs', the Amazon rainforest covers about 7 million square km (1.2 billion acres). The largest portion is in Brazil (60%), with the remaining parts in Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Guyana, Venezuela, Ecuador, Suriname and French Guiana. In each of these countries, the individual battle for subsistence threatens to the survival of the environment.
More than one fifth of the Amazon rainforest has already been lost to deforestation, and the destruction is increasing. Deforestation also introduces roads into virgin territory, bringing hunters and illegal species-traffickers in its wake.
Continual growth and decay in the Amazon rainforest produces highly nutrient-rich soil. Deforestation occurs when farmers use 'slash and burn' strategies to access these rich soils for farming. Once the farmers have grown several crops, the nutrients in the soil become depleted. The farmers' usual strategy is to abandon the affected area and start new farms. Clearing trees and undergrowth contributes 17% to global carbon emissions - more than transport for the whole world.
Deforestation of the Amazon rainforest is mainly for beef, leather, and soy production. The products are used in cosmetics, shoes, handbags and fast foods. The USA and Britain are the two largest importers of Brazilian beef. According to Greenpeace, leading international brand names, supermarkets and fast food outlets are the main culprits benefiting from illegal deforestation. Another threat is oil extraction: a major American oil company, Chevron, was recently fined three billion US dollars for environmental damage in Ecuador. This is the estimated cost of the cleanup, which is expected to take ten years.
