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Local politics, the county, and the world, as viewed by Tammy Maygra Tammy’s views are her own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bill Eagle, his pastor, Tammy’s neighbors, Wayne Mayo, Betsy Johnson, Brad Witt, President Trump, Henry Heimuller, VP Pence, Pat Robertson, Debi Corsiglia’s dog, or Claudia Eagle’s Cats. This Tammy’s Take (with the exception of this disclaimer) is not paid for or written by, or even reviewed by anyone but Tammy and she refuses to be bullied by anyone.
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Deforestation & Climate Change
All of us, well most of us throughout the world realizes that climate change is real and a threat to civilization and all life on the planet. Yet why won’t humans stop their greed and their stupidity? When will humans learn? Hopefully before it is too late. But right now humans continue on the direct path of actually killing themselves off.
Deforestation of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil has surged to its highest level since 2008, the country's space agency (Inpe) reports. A total of 4,281 sq. miles of rainforest were destroyed from August 2019 to July 2020. This is a 9.5% increase from the previous year. The Amazon is a vital carbon store that slows down the pace of global warming. This is not new information, and still the facts are ignored.
Ever since being elected as president of Brazil in 2019, Jair Bolsonaro has encouraged agriculture and mining activities in the rainforest. Brazil is the home to the world’s largest rainforest. Scientists say it has suffered losses at an accelerated rate since Bolsonaro took office. The Amazon is home to about three million species of plants and animals, and one million indigenous people.
In addition to encouraging development in the rainforest, President Bolsonaro has also cut funding to federal agencies that have the power to fine and arrest farmers and loggers breaking environmental law. Mr Bolsonaro has previously clashed with Inpe over its deforestation data. Last year, he accused the agency of smearing Brazil's reputation. (Inpe is the country’s space agency which collects pictures/data on forest activities.
It was said that an area of forest the size of a football pitch was cleared every single minute. But soon that calculation was overtaken, and this year has seen the largest fires for a decade. None of this should be a surprise: Jair Bolsonaro, was elected on a promise of development. Where once huge trees stood now is a waste land. Bolsonaro is angry because of the outside complaints and work from other groups and nations. He believes what Brazil wants to do is Brazils business. Climate scientists say the billions of trees are a vast store of carbon and, without them, the rise in global temperatures will accelerate. And the rest of the world can ot play catch up with trees that have been cut down in mass numbers. And the loss of habitat for hundreds of species many which are endangered.
You know that chicken sandwich from Mc Donald's which you love so much. It is contributing to the deforestation of the rainforest. The forest is being cleared for the planting of soybeans which in turn are grown and harvested and sent to the UK for animal feed. So it is all a vicious cycle. While we all may have heard of the Amazon, the Cerrado is not as well known but actually covers more than 20% of Brazil. Almost half of its forests have been cut down to make way for agriculture, mainly growing soy. It's a wooded savannah - and it's home to thousands of rare species and unique plants. The Cerrado is the most biodiverse savannah in the world. And man is destroying it, How shameful.
Many companies have actively supported calls to government for more ambitious requirements on businesses to address this issue, and believe a level playing field is needed to halt all forms of deforestation. They are trying to get only certified suppliers by 2025. And are looking into more sustainable feed sources. International Environment Minister, Lord Goldsmith, said: “In every conceivable way we depend on the natural world around us. Protecting rainforests must be a core priority.
“Our new due diligence law is one piece of a much bigger package of measures that we are putting in place to tackle deforestation. Countries need to ban together to tackle these problems and it will take all nations in agreement to solve the problem. That is what the UK is doing to solve the problem. Maybe this new year will bring on more key players like the USA, now that trump will be gone.
I have given up one of my favorites-- canned corned beef raised in Brazil. But it’s worth it to save the planet and thousands of species and yes to save humans too, even though they don’t deserve it.
Check your grocery cart when buying items and don’t buy ones from Brazil. Cocoa is a no no, I know how hard that will be for many of my readers but we all have to give something up for a better world.
Tammy
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