As I read about the Amazon, the Brazilian government, and Chico Mendes, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the many different dimensions to the issue of the environment and human rights. Where can I begin... The Amazon one of the world's most bio-diverse parts of the world is being deforested at a pace of 6 football fields a day, an incredibly alarming rate. Scott Wallace in his article "Last Of The Amazon" notes that "During the past 40 years, close to 20 percent of the Amazon rain forest has been cut down -- more than in all the previous 450 years since European colonization began." The Brazilian government during the 60s, 70s, and 80s contributed to the deforestation of the Amazon. They encouraged businesses, people, and all who could, to settle the Amazons. As I read about the Amazon and heard a presentation by my classmates on the topic, I thought that although we may want to preserve the Amazon what right do we have to tell Brazilians or other nations to stop the deforested the Amazon or to stop exploiting the resources? The United States and many other countries did exactly the same... At the same time, you have factions in Brazil that oppose the deforestation of the Amazon. Chico Mendes, who fought for environmental rights and for the rights of rubber tappers, demanded that we conserve the Amazon. His story, like that of many of the characters I mentioned in my blog, is truly inspirational.
Here are some of my thoughts on the Amazon and the environment: It is not clear who is to blame but it might be too late to place blame. How can anyone access the situation… Who would be the appropriate person or group to say anything…. Is it the native population? They are among the most affected but if we are saying that human rights are global then everyone should speak-up. When we say everyone, what does that mean? Is everyone, the developed world?
Helpful websites:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqgB2bzFrtg&feature=fvsr
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZolf7hxmRk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oz8tq5gTY0E&feature=related
How do you save the amazon? It is probably the one largest projects that many have under taken. Given the political climate and the quality of life of the natives in Brazil, the amazon might not be the number one priority, unlike Chico who was such an advocate and suffered a tragic end for his cause. With the recent "GREEN" trend, I do see changes when it comes to our environment. Educating each person on how to be environmentally conscious is a great idea. It forces us to put a microscope on large corporations that utilize our natural resources. Educating the native Brazilians will bring more awareness instead of raising money in which can be misused, although it is necessary.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous- Education I feel is the key. Americans consume much more than they need. I feel that it is our responsibility to be educated consumers because our decisions can negatively impact the world. I found this website that might be useful.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.responsibleconsumer.net
I believe that the world is our oyster therefore we should all (developed or not) be fighting for the Amazon be it against its destruction or not. Ultimately, its destructions affect us all because deforestation is helping with the depletion of our ozone layer. If we don't prevent its destruction, humanity is set to be doomed at an even faster rate than already predicted.
ReplyDeleteLooking at the picture above alone makes me wonder why anyone would want to destroy such beauty. I believe that humanity has become so complex that we can't deal with simplicity.
In thinking about your idea about world human rights, shouldn't we then also have worldwide political rights as well? I cannot believe that we are letting politics get in the way of our natural resources.