Environmental Issues in Brazil - Deforestation

Deforestation

Deforestation in Brazil is a major issue; the country once had the highest rate of deforestation in the world. The proposed Belo Monte Dam is encountering opposition due to its potential effects on biodiversity and the release of greenhouse gases. The construction of the Belo Monte Dam is strongly criticized by indigenous people and numerous environmental organizations in Brazil as well as organizations and individuals around the world.

Deforestation has been a significant source of pollution, biodiversity loss, and greenhouse gas emissions worldwide, but deforestation has been Brazil’s foremost cause of environmental and ecological degradation. Since 1970, over 600,000 square kilometers of Amazonian rainforest have been destroyed and the level of deforestation in the protected zones of Brazil's Amazon rainforest increased by over 127 percent between 2000 and 2010. Recently, further destruction of the Amazon Rainforest has been promoted by an increased global demand for wood and soybeans.