Future Predictions
In recent years the deforestation of the amazon has dropped to its lowest rate since records of the destruction began. ( UK guardian, 21st September) This is encouraging and shows that attitudes are changing towards the rainforest, throughout the country internally and also globally, with people recognises their significance and importance in the world’s natural balance far more than in 2004 when deforestation was at its peak.
This image shows the annual loss of square kilometres of Amazon rainforest over the course of six years. In 2006 the deforestation of the rainforest was at its highest, with 14,286 square kilometres lost however this has been steadily reducing each year since. The exception being in 2008 when the square kilometres lost increased back up to 12,911. However since then there has been a great decrease, with every year since then decreasing in greater amounts, finally to 2011 with the deforestation decreasing to 6,418 kilometres of forest.
This decrease may be due to the increase of awareness in Brazil surrounding the importance of the Rainforest. The Brazilian president recently signed a number of other contracts to increase existing parks and protected areas of biodiversity, he also took measures to recognise the land rights of the rainforest’s indigenous communities. However not all government bills are beneficial to the preservation of the rainforest, the guardian UK recently reported a bill that was partially vetoed that may in danger protected rainforest areas.
Furthermore another reason for the major decrease in deforestation may be due to the lessened demand for cattle, soy, timber and iron may be due to the recent financial crisis and is only a temporary reduction in deforestation figures.
However there has been a definite change in attitude towards rainforests and their uses throughout the Brazilian community. Instead of just seeing them as land to be colonised and destroyed, people are now realising the other opportunities the rainforest can provide, for example, eco-tourism. Eco-tourism not only helps economic growth but is also environmentally sustainable.
This decrease may be due to the increase of awareness in Brazil surrounding the importance of the Rainforest. The Brazilian president recently signed a number of other contracts to increase existing parks and protected areas of biodiversity, he also took measures to recognise the land rights of the rainforest’s indigenous communities. However not all government bills are beneficial to the preservation of the rainforest, the guardian UK recently reported a bill that was partially vetoed that may in danger protected rainforest areas.
Furthermore another reason for the major decrease in deforestation may be due to the lessened demand for cattle, soy, timber and iron may be due to the recent financial crisis and is only a temporary reduction in deforestation figures.
However there has been a definite change in attitude towards rainforests and their uses throughout the Brazilian community. Instead of just seeing them as land to be colonised and destroyed, people are now realising the other opportunities the rainforest can provide, for example, eco-tourism. Eco-tourism not only helps economic growth but is also environmentally sustainable.