“At first I thought I was fighting to save rubber trees,
then I thought I was fighting to save the Amazon rain forest. Now I realize I
am fighting for humanity.” – Chico Mendes, an environmentalist and union leader
who was murdered by those opposed to his activities.
Photo: Council on Foreign Relations, Fair Use
Next to the burning of fossils fuels, the largest source of
global greenhouse emissions is deforestation. Halting this practice and
reversing it could reduce global GHG emissions by about 33 percent, according
to scientists with expertise in this area.
Over the last several years, many people have discussed the
negative impacts on climate change caused by deforestation. For those of you familiar
with the subject, or, those of you who doubt or have little interest in it, the Council on Foreign Relations has put together an excellent
representation of what has happened over the years to the Amazon Rainforest –
the largest in the world - and its
impact on climate change, the economy, politics, indigenous peoples, and the
environment.
It’s very well done – a must-see worthy of further
discussion. Click on the following link to see the entire presentation:
