PROPOSED CHANGES TO BRAZILIAN FOREST CODE THREATENS RAINFOREST CONSERVATION

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The Brazilian government is considering changing its laws regarding rainforest conservation, sparking public outrage and a widespread petition against the changes, which favor logging interests. The petition drive has already gathered more than a million signatures, and environmentalists and activists are planning large -scale marches and demonstrations throughout the nation to draw attention to the issue and urge the government to resist backsliding on protecting the Amazon rainforest. WHAT THE NEW LAW WOULD DO Proposed changes to Brazils forestry laws would weaken regulations that keep landowners from cutting down trees for commercial endeavours. Under the changes, nearly 85 million hectares of undeveloped forest could be used for agricultural purposes or timber production, and the landowners would have no duty to reforest the areas they deforest. The proposed changes could also negatively impact initiatives to reduce global warming by protecting rainforests or reforesting deforested areas. The new law would also reduce the amount of land that farms and other developments in forested areas must conserve. Currently they must keep 80 percent of the forest on their property for utilisation in sustainable timber management. The new law would require landowners to keep only 50 percent for use in sustainable timber management and this requirement would only apply to large areas. Smaller holdings may be exempted from regulations regarding conservation altogether.

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Environmental groups are concerned that the law would remove incentives for landowners to participate in reforestation plans and would speed up the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest, as few checks would be in place to halt rapid deforestation. A recent poll shows 79 percent of the Brazilian public oppose the new law, giving Brazilian president Dilma Rouseff political cover to veto the law. WHY DOES IT MATTER? Preserving the rainforest and reforesting deforested areas is key to reducing the impact of carbon emissions into the atmosphere. Carbon emissions are believed to be the major contributor to climate change, thus making reducing or mitigating emissions a global environmental priority. One way businesses and individuals can contribute to rainforest preservation is by buying carbon credits which mitigate carbon emissions by reforesting a section of rainforest. As the rainforest is a major contributor to processing carbon dioxide and other pollutants, increasing the size of the forest and balancing out tree -cutting can help roll back climate change. Rainforest conservation is key to preserving this amazing natural habitat and protecting the planet from the impacts of climate change.