Post by Andrei Tchentchik on Jan 23, 2020 13:26:47 GMT 2
(.#A.024).- The Amazon is burning?, August 24, 2019.
The Amazon is burning?
Saturday, August 24, 2019.
By Loïc Tassé
Forest fires in the Amazon contrast two old rival camps: the camp of those who believe that the right to make money over everything and that of those who believe that development without constraints harms the well-being of humans.
The president of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, belongs to the first group. The G7 leaders, with the exception of Donald Trump, belong to the second camp. Bolsonaro made clumsy statements that drew attention to fires in the Amazon rainforest. But Emmanuel Macron's statements are alarmist, even though the problem of deforestation and its impact on the climate is very real.
What is the situation of fires in Amazonia?
The fires in the Amazon are larger than those of last year: 85% in Brazil, but 104% in Peru, 114% in Bolivia, 120% in French Guiana and 128% in Suriname. They decreased by 56% in Ecuador and 13% in Colombia. The phenomenon is therefore far from unique in Brazil. In addition, Brazil's CO2 emissions in 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2010, during the same period, were higher than those observed today, which suggests that the forest fires were more extensive in those years. . So far this year, in Brazil, 75,000 fires have ravaged 3,500 square kilometers of forest, less than 0.1 percent of the area of the Brazilian Amazon. Finally, the Amazon rainforest produces only a few percent of the planet's oxygen, and this oxygen is reabsorbed locally.
What is Jair Bolsonaro's position?
Bolsonaro said several people were suspected of having started fires, including environmentalists. He believes that environmental groups would try to discredit his policies very favorable to the clearing and exploitation of mineral resources in the Amazon.
What is the position of European leaders?
Macron was moved by fires ravaging the Amazon. He went so far as to declare that the "lung of the planet" was burning. Several European leaders mention the possibility of blocking imports from Brazil to stop Bolsonaro's policies.
What does it take to conclude figures on fires in the Amazon?
The figures show that the upsurge of fires in the Amazon rainforest is not necessarily related to Bolsonaro's policies, even though deforestation increases the risk of fire by weakening the forest. They show that the fires are probably related to global warming. The numbers also indicate that, contrary to Macron's assertion, these fires do not burn "the lungs of the planet". Macron seeks with this kind of talk to boost his political profit. Moreover, Bolsonaro's positions are outrageous. To worry about the environment of the planet is not a neocolonial attitude, as he accuses Macron. Bolsonaro is also seeking to increase his political profit. It must be recognized, however, that Bolsonaro's policies contribute to destroying the exceptional diversity of the Amazon.
Will the Brazilian government strengthen its protection of the environment?
Probably not. No more than other countries that share the Amazon rainforest. It would be surprising if the G7 managed to agree on this, especially since Trump is not known for its positions in favor of the environment. The problem should rather be discussed in major environmental forums.
F I N.
The Amazon is burning?
Saturday, August 24, 2019.
By Loïc Tassé
Forest fires in the Amazon contrast two old rival camps: the camp of those who believe that the right to make money over everything and that of those who believe that development without constraints harms the well-being of humans.
The president of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, belongs to the first group. The G7 leaders, with the exception of Donald Trump, belong to the second camp. Bolsonaro made clumsy statements that drew attention to fires in the Amazon rainforest. But Emmanuel Macron's statements are alarmist, even though the problem of deforestation and its impact on the climate is very real.
What is the situation of fires in Amazonia?
The fires in the Amazon are larger than those of last year: 85% in Brazil, but 104% in Peru, 114% in Bolivia, 120% in French Guiana and 128% in Suriname. They decreased by 56% in Ecuador and 13% in Colombia. The phenomenon is therefore far from unique in Brazil. In addition, Brazil's CO2 emissions in 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2010, during the same period, were higher than those observed today, which suggests that the forest fires were more extensive in those years. . So far this year, in Brazil, 75,000 fires have ravaged 3,500 square kilometers of forest, less than 0.1 percent of the area of the Brazilian Amazon. Finally, the Amazon rainforest produces only a few percent of the planet's oxygen, and this oxygen is reabsorbed locally.
What is Jair Bolsonaro's position?
Bolsonaro said several people were suspected of having started fires, including environmentalists. He believes that environmental groups would try to discredit his policies very favorable to the clearing and exploitation of mineral resources in the Amazon.
What is the position of European leaders?
Macron was moved by fires ravaging the Amazon. He went so far as to declare that the "lung of the planet" was burning. Several European leaders mention the possibility of blocking imports from Brazil to stop Bolsonaro's policies.
What does it take to conclude figures on fires in the Amazon?
The figures show that the upsurge of fires in the Amazon rainforest is not necessarily related to Bolsonaro's policies, even though deforestation increases the risk of fire by weakening the forest. They show that the fires are probably related to global warming. The numbers also indicate that, contrary to Macron's assertion, these fires do not burn "the lungs of the planet". Macron seeks with this kind of talk to boost his political profit. Moreover, Bolsonaro's positions are outrageous. To worry about the environment of the planet is not a neocolonial attitude, as he accuses Macron. Bolsonaro is also seeking to increase his political profit. It must be recognized, however, that Bolsonaro's policies contribute to destroying the exceptional diversity of the Amazon.
Will the Brazilian government strengthen its protection of the environment?
Probably not. No more than other countries that share the Amazon rainforest. It would be surprising if the G7 managed to agree on this, especially since Trump is not known for its positions in favor of the environment. The problem should rather be discussed in major environmental forums.
F I N.
