Resource depletion in BrazilResource depletion in Brazil

Gillian Galford, Ph.D.Gillian Galford, Ph.D.University of VermontUniversity of Vermont

Primary Source WebinarPrimary Source WebinarOctober 11, 2012October 11, 2012

Ecosystems of Brazil

It’s a lot more than rainforest!

Amazon Tropical ForestAmazon Tropical Forest• 1/3 of world’s species• ¼ of all fresh water• Large carbon reservoir

Amazon Tropical ForestAmazon Tropical Forest• 1/3 of world’s species• ¼ of all fresh water• Large carbon reservoir

• Threats– • DEFORESTATION

Logging, ranching & infrastructure expansion

• Overfishing & Overhunting

Reducing deforestation• Successes come from government and the

private sector

CerradoCerrado

–Cerrado, Cerradão, Campo limpoCerrado, Cerradão, Campo limpo–43% of plant species are endemic43% of plant species are endemic–Most unprotected savanna in the worldMost unprotected savanna in the world

CerradoCerrado

–Cerrado, Cerradão, Campo limpoCerrado, Cerradão, Campo limpo– 43% of plant species are endemic43% of plant species are endemic–Most unprotected savanna in the worldMost unprotected savanna in the world

THREATS: expansion of croplands, mostly soycroplands, mostly soy

Oil and gas• Deforestation• Indigenous conflict• Biodiversity loss• Soil & water

pollution• Air pollution

• Energy independence• Economic

development

Mining• Iron, gold, tin,

copper and bauxite• 2% of GDP• 4% of workforce

Large list of environmental problems

Hydropower• Accounts for 90% of

Brazil’s electricity• Cheap• Vulnerable• Growth needed• Ex: Belo Monte– Industry– Indigenous people– Forest loss– Water quality– Greenhouse gases

Biofuels• Largest ethanol producer

in the world• Cause direct or indirect

loss of forest?

Cane

Corn

Brazil’s environmental future: A new dawn

• Global awareness• Political will• Economic incentives• Personal responsibility• Scientific understanding