Deforestation: Easter Island vs. The Amazon Rain Forest

Currently, the Amazon Rain Forest is suffering from deforestation, as well.  The South American rain forest produces 20% of the worlds oxygen as well as responsible for the removal of carbon dioxide, which is also a dangerous gas that not only harms the earth’s atmosphere but can cause death if we were to breath it in for a short period of time. (Nussbaum, 2004) On a personal note my ancestors were of the Guarinis an indigenous people to Brazil, due to settlers and the current issue of deforestation their numbers are also declining.  Where their used to be over ten million native South American there are now less than 200,000.  My grandfather would tell me stories of how to use certain herbal remedies for complex medical procedures, but European colonist destroyed over 90 tribes, as well as the medicinal knowledge they possessed.  Seventy percent of the worlds known cancer treatments are derived from the vegetation of the rain forest.  Mainly reason for deforestation in the Amazon is farmers and corporations expanding their land.  Land is also sold for more money if the seller clears it of forest, where the buyer would be able to farm as well as build on it. At one time in world history, the rain forest covered 14% of the worlds land surface, currently it is only 6%.  Experts say that at the rate we are going the rain forest will be no more in less than 40 years.  They also agree that we are destroying one hundred and thirty-seven, animal, plant, and insect species a day, up to 50,000 a years.  With the destruction of these species, will be and is the destruction of possible cures for diseases. (Taylor, 2004)

In conclusion, we discovered what deforestation can do to a small island in the pacific and the tragic results that lead to their demise. Currently we are facing the same problem on an even larger scale. In this respect, I propose that the remaining Amazon Rainforest be seized by the Brazilian government and is kept as a conservation.  Through guided tours and for purposes in retrieving medicinal samples, where scientist can understand how to cultivate the plants within their own confines, people will be allowed into the rain forest.  In addition, rules to preserve the Amazon’s ecosystem will also apply.  People who will lose their land due to it being seized will have tax exemption status for the rest of their life.  The Amazon is more valuable to our world both economically and medically, intact then if it were shaved down for factories and warehouses.

References

1.      Butler, R. A. (2005, September 1). Easter Island Mystery revealed using mathematical model. Retrieved May 28, 2009, from Mongabay.com Web site: http://news.mongabay.com/2005/0901-easter_island.html

2.      Nussbaum, M. (2004). The Amazon Rainforest. Retrieved May 29, 2009, from Www.mrnussbaum.com Web site: http://www.mrnussbaum.com/amazonia.htm

3.      Taylor, L. (2004). Rainforest Facts. Retrieved May 29, 2009, from Www.rain-tree.com Web site: http://www.rain-tree.com/facts.htm