Brazil Senate passes Amazon deforestation code

Brazil is the third largest carbon emitting country in the world. The country is currently confronted with a number of environmental issues. Accompanied by deforestation, there is illegal wildlife trade, air and water pollution, land degradation, wetland degradation and oil spills. On the contrary, the country boasts of the fifteenth largest world economy, implying they have the means and ability to sustain the nation. Shasta Darlington, a CNN news writer, reported on December the previous year, that the Brazilian senate passed an Amazon deforestation code. The bill was stated as “controversial” because of the particulars and specifications that was approved.

Senators voted 59 to 7, approving the legislation after a long debate, stated by Darlington. The bill is supported by ranchers and farmers but opposed by environmentalists. “The bill reduces the percentage of land that farmers and ranchers must maintain as forest when they develop it. It also establishes an amnesty for some past illegal deforestation.” Darlington further included in her report. Amnesty for past illegal deforestation? Relatively and substantially implying that past illegal crimes have been somewhat forgiven or forgotten. The theory and line of reasoning Senator Jorge Viana said in a statement "Brazil has to take care of the environment, but at the same time it also has a responsibility to feed the world." Brazil is the number 1 export of beef and second biggest soy exporter to the world. Yes, perhaps Brazil plays a vital role in the exports of the food industry, but should the environment suffer from this? Should the environment take a step down to let the food industry grow and boom?

Brazil’s Senate voted in favor of the new Forest Code

The amnesty of past illegal deforestation, I would have to agree with, would most encourage developers to illegally continue to cut down the Amazon forest. Supporters of the bill say that the country’s is merely bringing the legal framework in line with reality. Private ranchers and growers as well as the government have invested millions on the expansion of soybean and beef production in the country, looking forward to building massive hydroelectric dams in the region, as stated by Darlington. The new bill passed abolishes the strict fines of the decades-old regulations on deforestation. Greenpeace Brazil dubbed the event as a day of shame.

The final verdict will lie heavily on the President, Dilma Rouseff. Challenging as it is, the president has heavily favored development initiatives in the region, but also must appease or pacify the left wing environmentalists in her coalition. A tough choice entrusted upon a person with so much power and ability to change. As a citizen, all we can do is hope for the best in the decisions higher-ranked officials make and hope they do not conceal themselves in less substantial issues, or probably finalize with justifiable and tenable vindications for the common good.

- Adrian M. Francisco

Reference: http://edition.cnn.com/2011/12/07/world/americas/brazil-deforestation/index.html?iref=allsearch