Deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest

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Deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest: Human degradation and its consequences

Deforestation is a word that displays an image of cruelty against nature. In any language, and on every continent, the word deforestation is frowned upon by all social classes, however why it is still happening? The consequences of this act that involves human beings willing to cut down trees, burning plants, and destroy habitats of animals are just actions to satisfy some human being. The Amazon rainforest covers various countries where 60% is in Brazil, and 13% in Peru, and produces 20% of total oxygen in the world. Unfortunately, the political leaders of the countries that make up the Amazon jungle are not interested in its full protection and do not realize that the world health is in their hands. The main purpose of deforestation is to expand, build, and work to advance political purposes. One example is the relentless pursuit of oil, which does nothing but to destroy wildlife, and by drilling the land it exposes soil to sunlight which creates erosion. That example reminds me a phrase from the philosopher Machiavelli, in which he thinks that end justifies the means. His idea suggests that if the objective is good, then it doesn’t matter if the way we achieve it is bad, wrong, or evil. Why do people continue supporting deforestation? This question has many answers, but relies on a behavior problem, lack of respect, and necessity to survive, mostly from very low-income humans. The government allows deforestation to expand, and this creates the following main consequences: Disruption of hydrologic cycle, erosion of soil, loss of biodiversity, and the increase of Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere.

The tree is an essential element in the forest, yet ...

... middle of paper ...

... part of our world.

Work Cited

Axel Bronset. “Reduction in Rainfall Due to Deforestation.” Coupled Models for the Hydrological Cycle: Integrating Atmosphere, Biosphere, and Pedosphere. Ronald W.A. Hutjes. Berlin: Springer Berlin, 2005. 312-314.

Luiz C. Barbosa. The Brazilian Amazon Rainforest: Global Ecopolitics, Development, and Democracy. Maryland: University Press of America, 2000.

Richard Spilsbury. “Deforestation Crisis.” The Impact of Deforestation. Richard Spilsbury. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group Inc., 2010. 48

Fernando Fernandez “Introduccion a las hormigas de la region Neotropical”

Christopher Callahan, “Rainforest Deforestation”

Rainforest Concern, “What Can We Do to Stop Deforestation?”

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