Policy Paper Government

Deforestation of the Amazon

Policy Paper Proposal

Khanh Doan

GOVT 2305 Spring 2020

Prof. J. Mark Skorick

Word Count (337)

Historically, deforestation has been licensed under strict control under soft territory control. However, the importance of the Amazon is a global ecosystem, Brazilian government has more strict control over deforestation (de Alencastro Bouchardet and Alves Porsse 23). Global results show a high spatial correlation, and deforestation is concentrated throughout space, although many policies are used to reduce deforestation in Legal Amazon, it is negligible. (de Alencastro Bouchardet and Alves Porsse 23). The policy paper will mention directly about the deforestation of the Amazon. Last year, the world watched in horror in August when trails spread across the Amazon region by flames. Ten years ago, Brazil reined in increasing Amazon deforestation after then-president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva introduced a number of groundbreaking steps, including surveillance, fines and other restrictions. The changes have been such a success that Brazil has accomplished its 2020 target of reducing deforestation-related green house gas emissions three years ahead of time (Fox 328). Michael Fox said: “Those days are over. Deforestation is now at a 10-year high, rising 190 percent in the July to September period compared to the same months last year, according to data from Brazil's National Institute for Space Research (INPE).” (Fox 328). In addition to affecting the global situation, amazon deforestation also has some implications for the United States. The US northwestern coast is reduced by 10% to 20% of precipitation and the Sierra Nevada. Snowpack in the Sierra Nevada experienced declines of up to 50% (Medvigy et al.9115). Medvigy said that:” It is concluded that the deforestation of the Amazon can act as a driver of regional climate change in the extratropics, including areas of the western United States that are agriculturally important.” With these income results, amazon deforestation is a red alert, countries in the Amazon region need strong measures to overcome and minimize it. This paper will focus on the importance of the amazon forest and the impact of amazon deforestation on the world. In addition, the article will discuss activities to protect the Amazon forest.

Work Cited

Medvigy, David, et al. “Simulated Changes in Northwest U.S. Climate in Response to Amazon

Deforestation.” Journal of Climate, Vol. 26 Issue 22, p9115-9136. 22p. EBSCOhost, dcccd.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search-ebscohost- com.dcccd.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=94672513&site=ehost-live

Fox, Michael. “Amazon in Flames (Interview): Brazilian ecologist Dr. Bernardo M. Flores sheds light on

the long-term ecological fallout of devastating Amazon fires and cuts through rhetoric to pinpoint the real threats to the rainforest under President Bolsonaro.” NACLA Report on the Americas, Dec2019, Vol. 51 Issue 4, p328-332. 5p. EBSCOhost, dcccd.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search-ebscohost-com.dcccd.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=140156909&site=ehost-live.

de Alencastro Bouchardet, Daniel, et al. “Analyzing the Spatial Dynamics of Deforestation in Brazilian

Amazon.” Geographical Analysis, Jan2017, Vol. 49 Issue 1, p23-35. 13p. EBSCOhost, dcccd.idm.oclc.org/login?url= https://search-ebscohost-com.dcccd.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=120845414&site=ehost-live.