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Boa Noite Yes, it does seem like it is good night for the Brazil I love. I am not an alarmist, however when I read that "During the past 40 years close to 20% of the Amazon Rain Forest has been cut down-more than in all the previous 450 years since the European colonization began," in National Geographic today, I worried for the future of my . I worry because the article goes on to state that in only twenty years twenty percent of the forest will be gone. As Brazil's rainforests provide 30% of the world's oxygen, this is a case for the United Nations. Why does the UN expound so much time on oil when oxygen is a greater concern? What could be more important than the air we breathe? So what can the UN do? Rush in with guns blazing like Bush did in Iraq? That hardly solved anything. No, there are other measures that can be taken. But first, why is the forest being destroyed? Well, the article explains that it is used for farming soybeans, cattle and timber. Ah, you may say, subsistence is the reason. Man has a right to live, but per the article, only a few are actually profiting. It only takes one man to run machines on 400 acres of land. And hundreds are dying in wars over it. Introduced diseases and displacement also kill the natives. So it is a few who are racking in the wealth without a care to others or the future. What then can the UN do? Send money. No, not right out like that. The government has long been known to be too corrupt for that. money can be sent to created agencies who monitor the spending and employ locals to enforce the laws already in place, but ignored. This would create jobs for those living in slums, displaced by the loggers. Those who steal the forest are heavily armed, so arms in kind could be provided for these local environmental officers by the UN. What can the UN do further? Well, there should be a boycott on soybeans, cattle and wood products from Brazil until something is done to stop the rampant deforestation. If there is no market for the goods, the forests will be left to regrow. The ban should not be lifted until the UN decides that regulations have been met. The biggest corrupt soybean producer even came up with a solution himself, "provide royalties to keep the forest intact." I think our oxygen is worth the world nations pitching in to compensate for preservation. So those are some solutions on a world wide scale. The UN though does not have much time to act. So you may say to yourself, what can I do then to help? You can choose to boycott soybeans, timber and cattle grown in Brazil until something is done about this matter. You can also contact your own government officials, not just in the US but in China as well. The article briefly touched on dams that will decimate forests on an even larger scale in "The dams will provide aluminum smelters, and shipping channels that will facilitate river transport of exports to Chinese markets." Many people think of the US as the police of the world, but it is not. America has openly stated that it only acts on self-interests. Why oxygen is not a self interest, I don’t know, but apparently it is not, LOL.. So it is up to the UN then to act on matters that involve the world and I can think of no better matter than the air we breathe to be of the World's primary concern. And will the UN act if it thinks that no one cares? I don’t think so. Writing government officials of your concerns for the air produced by the rainforests can be done by anyone. It will not take much time and it will show you care. Many state senators have email addresses on line. They can be found through any search engine. All that needs be said is that you are concerned by the rapid deforestation of Brazilian rainforests, as it holds 30% of the air we breathe. Well, I am off to quickly type up a few to some of my state reps. Hopefully, you will do the same, as I am only one person. If we all voice a concern imagine how that can help. UN Feedback email: inquiries at un.org |
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You are right. Most that read your post will agree that you are right. But like the big hole in the sky that is already there letting in far more damaging rays, the warnings will not be heeded - they never are. The current politicians know full well that they will not be in power when the results of there failure to act is finally realised so why should they care. Like alwasys, it's someone else's problem. The loss of the forests and all the variety of species that have also been lost can NEVER be replaced. The best that can happen is that the rate is slowed down. Look into a tiger's face - look at the eyes. It's as if this proud creature knows that it has not got long in this world. It must wonder why the 'so-called' most wise of all the creatures (us) seems so hell bent on destruction? I have no answer and I certainly have no faith in the politicians of any of the western worlds to help. Nature will take it's course. It's good that some show concern - I hope it does some good. TG
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TG, Yes, the environmental warning signs are already beginning. Frogs, as amphibians are great predictors of our fate, as their skin is so porous that any toxin in the environment can kill them. I just read yesterday that a fungus is killing frogs now on a massive scale. 18 entire speicies have been wiped off the earth by it already. I wonder if this has something to do with some change in our environment already. The fungus has been around since the 1930s, I wonder why it now is killing so many on such a scale. Oh, the last line in my blog is an email address for the United Nations. So, please write to inquiries at un.org. AsiaFind won't allow used of the "at" sign, but you know what it means.
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Okay, Go, when you don't have enough air to breathe in a couple of years, remember your petering out theory...lol! (kiss on the cheek)
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Is this worth for a UN sanction...? Do they have "Greenpeace"in Brazil?
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SanFran, Yeah, unfortunately, Brazil would be too poor then to be in the UN and that's where the problem lies, lol! Unless some country goes down there and makes them act responsibly, you mean...... lol, another Iraq over air instead of oil. Pup
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