[Sustain] Beef cattle responsible for 80% of Amazon Deforestation

[Eric Brooks]

http://planetsave.com/blog/2009/01/29/80-percent-of-amazon-deforestation-stems-from-cattle-ranching-2/

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    80% of Amazon Deforestation Stems from Cattle Ranching
    <http://planetsave.com/blog/2009/01/29/80-percent-of-amazon-deforestation-stems-from-cattle-ranching-2/>

Written by Alex Felsinger <http://greenoptions.com/author/alexfelsinger>
Published on January 29th, 2009
7 Comments 
<http://planetsave.com/blog/2009/01/29/80-percent-of-amazon-deforestation-stems-from-cattle-ranching-2/#comments>
Posted in Climate change 
<http://planetsave.com/category/climate-change/>, Nature & Conservation 
<http://planetsave.com/category/nature-conservation/>

<http://planetsave.com/files/2009/01/map.png>


      Greenpeace Brazil has released a report at the World Social Forum
      in Belém showing that up to 80 percent of deforestation in the
      Amazon rainforest is due to an increase in raising cattle for
      human consumption.

Brazil has quickly become the largest exporter of beef in the world, but 
they are not satisfied with their current market share and plan to 
increase production. The plan flies in the face of their supposed 
commitment to tackle climate change. The country is currently the fourth 
biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, 75% of which stem from deforestation.

/*>> See Also: German Government Advisory: Eat Meat Only on Special 
Occasions
<http://planetsave.com/blog/2009/01/29/blog/2009/01/30/blog/2009/01/24/german-government-advisory-eat-meat-only-on-special-ocassions/>*/

The map of Brazil above shows the concentration of cattle, mostly 
focused on the Mato Grosso region in the southwest. Greenpeace used a 
unique technique to prepare this and other maps in the report 
<http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/press-center/reports4/amazon-cattle-footprint-mato>:

    Our Amazon team used specialized techniques to analyze and compare
    satellite images of vegetation (or lack thereof) on the ground, and
    data showing the growth of infrastructure, such as roads and
    agribusiness. It is the first time that these two types of data have
    been put together in this way. Our maps in the report /Amazon cattle
    footprint
    <http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/press-center/reports4/amazon-cattle-footprint-mato>,
    /clearly show how much former rainforest is now used for cattle
    pastures in Mato Grosso.

Unfortunately, similar as in the United States, the government fully 
backs the agriculture industry with many politicians firmly in the 
pockets of agribusiness. 
<http://news.mongabay.com/2009/0129-brazil.html> They've even recently 
proposed legislation to prevent environmental groups from setting up in 
the Amazon.

However, with the economy moving how it is, expansion is becoming less 
and less of an option.

What can you do 
<http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/09/08/uns-top-climate-scientist-urges-people-to-combat-climate-change-by-eating-less-meat/>? 
Try going vegetarian <http://www.veganoutreach.org/>, or at least making 
sure the beef you're eating comes from cows raised near where you live.

*More information about the environmental impact of meat:*

    * UN's Top Climate Scientist Urges People to Combat Climate Change
      by Eating Less Meat
      <http://planetsave.com/blog/2009/01/29/blog/2008/09/08/uns-top-climate-scientist-urges-people-to-combat-climate-change-by-eating-less-meat/>
    * Meat is murder on the environment
      <http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19526134.500-meat-is-murder-on-the-environment.html>
    * How poultry producers are ravaging the rural South
      <http://www.grist.org/news/maindish/2006/02/21/parker/>


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