Resource depletion in BrazilResource depletion in Brazil
Gillian Galford, Ph.D.Gillian Galford, Ph.D.University of VermontUniversity of Vermont
Primary Source WebinarPrimary Source WebinarOctober 11, 2012October 11, 2012
Ecosystems of Brazil
It’s a lot more than rainforest!
Amazon Tropical ForestAmazon Tropical Forest• 1/3 of world’s species• ¼ of all fresh water• Large carbon reservoir
Amazon Tropical ForestAmazon Tropical Forest• 1/3 of world’s species• ¼ of all fresh water• Large carbon reservoir
• Threats– • DEFORESTATION
Logging, ranching & infrastructure expansion
• Overfishing & Overhunting
Reducing deforestation• Successes come from government and the
private sector
CerradoCerrado
–Cerrado, Cerradão, Campo limpoCerrado, Cerradão, Campo limpo–43% of plant species are endemic43% of plant species are endemic–Most unprotected savanna in the worldMost unprotected savanna in the world
CerradoCerrado
–Cerrado, Cerradão, Campo limpoCerrado, Cerradão, Campo limpo– 43% of plant species are endemic43% of plant species are endemic–Most unprotected savanna in the worldMost unprotected savanna in the world
THREATS: expansion of croplands, mostly soycroplands, mostly soy
Oil and gas• Deforestation• Indigenous conflict• Biodiversity loss• Soil & water
pollution• Air pollution
• Energy independence• Economic
development
Mining• Iron, gold, tin,
copper and bauxite• 2% of GDP• 4% of workforce
Large list of environmental problems
Hydropower• Accounts for 90% of
Brazil’s electricity• Cheap• Vulnerable• Growth needed• Ex: Belo Monte– Industry– Indigenous people– Forest loss– Water quality– Greenhouse gases
Biofuels• Largest ethanol producer
in the world• Cause direct or indirect
loss of forest?
Cane
Corn
Brazil’s environmental future: A new dawn
• Global awareness• Political will• Economic incentives• Personal responsibility• Scientific understanding
