dr. gillian galford: resource depletion in brazil
TRANSCRIPT
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
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
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