The destruction of the Amazon, explained

Summary

The video explores the history and ongoing challenges of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest. It traces the initial wave of destruction from the 1970s due to Brazil’s economic ambitions, driven by cattle ranching and soybean farming. Efforts in the 2000s reduced deforestation through government policies and environmental activism, but political shifts and agricultural interests have reignited the crisis. Today, fires and illegal clearing threaten to push the Amazon past a tipping point, with dire consequences for global ecosystems. The video emphasizes the importance of vigilance and global awareness to protect the Amazon.

Takeaways

• 🌳 The Amazon rainforest is facing severe deforestation, with significant environmental implications.
• 🚀 Deforestation rates in the Amazon were historically high, but dropped by 70% at one point due to protective measures.
• 🔥 Despite past progress, recent events indicate a resurgence in deforestation and forest fires.
• 🗺️ The initial wave of deforestation began in the 1970s with the construction of the Trans-Amazonian Highway.
• 🐮 Cattle ranching was a major driver of deforestation, as land was cleared for pastures.
• 🌱 The demand for soybeans, used as feed for livestock, also contributed to deforestation as land was converted to soy farms.
• 🛑 The Brazilian government, under President Lula da Silva, implemented policies that helped reduce deforestation rates.
• 🏞️ Protective measures included expanding rainforest reserves, enforcing the Forest Code, and strengthening law enforcement against illegal deforestation.
• 📉 The agricultural industry responded to consumer pressure and signed moratoriums to avoid deforestation.
• 📈 Despite reduced deforestation, the soy and beef industries continued to grow through more efficient farming practices.
• 🔙 Political shifts, including the rise of the ruralistas and President Bolsonaro's policies, have led to weakened environmental protections and increased deforestation.

Q & A

What is the current environmental problem in South America mentioned in the script?

The current environmental problem in South America is the destruction of the Amazon rainforest, which is considered a worldwide disaster.

How much of the Amazon rainforest was being destroyed in the 1980s?

In the 1980s, the Amazon rainforest was being destroyed at a rate where an area twice the size of Belgium, or the size of New York State or California, was disappearing.

Why is the Amazon rainforest so important to save?

The Amazon rainforest is crucial because it produces one-fifth of the oxygen we breathe, contains 20% of the world's fresh water, and is home to half of the species of life on Earth.

What was the situation of the Amazon rainforest in the 1990s?

In the 1990s, the destruction of the Amazon rainforest accelerated more than twice as fast as previously believed, and it seemed virtually impossible to control.

What significant change occurred in the Amazon rainforest's deforestation rate?

The annual destruction rate of the Amazon rainforest dropped by 70%, reaching the lowest rate of deforestation since records began.

What condition was necessary to keep the Amazon rainforest safe?

To keep the Amazon rainforest safe, it was necessary to protect the forest as a continual process, requiring Brazil to stay vigilant.

What happened to the Amazon rainforest after the initial success in reducing deforestation?

Despite the initial success, the Amazon rainforest started burning again, with thousands of fires blazing as more and more trees were cut down, leading to the highest rate of deforestation in a decade.

What was the first wave of deforestation in the Amazon, and when did it start?

The first wave of deforestation in the Amazon started in the 1970s when Brazil's military regime saw the potential for profit deep in the Amazon.

How did the Brazilian government contribute to the deforestation in the Amazon?

The Brazilian government contributed to deforestation by building the Trans-Amazonian Highway, offering free land along the highway, and paying Brazilians to settle deeper in the rainforest.

What was the role of the beef and soy industries in the Amazon deforestation?

The beef and soy industries played a significant role in Amazon deforestation as ranchers cleared more land for cattle pastures and farmers converted pastures into massive soy farms.

What measures did the Brazilian government take to reduce deforestation under President Lula da Silva?

Under President Lula da Silva, the Brazilian government expanded the amount of rainforest under protection, strengthened the Forest Code, and enforced laws against illegal deforestation through agencies like IBAMA.

How did the environmental movement impact the agricultural industry in the Amazon?

The environmental movement pressured the agricultural industry to change, leading to the Soy Moratorium in 2006 and a similar agreement for beef companies in 2009, which restricted buying products from newly deforested lands.

What were the consequences of the ruralistas gaining influence in Brazil?

The ruralistas, gaining influence, pushed for policies that weakened forest protection laws, leading to an increase in deforestation rates.

What actions did President Jair Bolsonaro take that affected the Amazon rainforest?

President Jair Bolsonaro transferred the forest service to the agricultural ministry, weakened the Environmental Ministry, and his policies led to a significant increase in deforestation in the Amazon.

What is the potential threshold for the Amazon rainforest's collapse, and what would be the consequences?

If deforestation reaches 20-25%, the Amazon rainforest could start to collapse, leading to the death of trees, inability to cycle water, and the release of a massive amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Outlines

00:00

🌳 Amazon Deforestation Crisis

The Amazon rainforest is facing a severe environmental crisis due to rapid deforestation. In the 1980s, the world became aware of the alarming rate at which trees were being cut down, with areas equivalent to New York State or California disappearing annually. The Amazon is crucial for the world's survival as it provides one-fifth of the oxygen we breathe, 20% of the world's fresh water, and is home to half of the earth's species. Despite the urgency to protect it, deforestation rates accelerated in the 1990s, making it virtually impossible to control. However, a significant reduction in the annual destruction rate by 70% in the following years offered hope. Yet, recent events have seen the Amazon burning again, with fires raging and deforestation rates reaching a decade-high. The script also delves into the historical context, starting with the 1970s when Brazil's military regime initiated the first wave of deforestation for profit, leading to a land rush and the creation of the Arc of Deforestation.

05:07

🛠️ Combating Deforestation in the Amazon

In response to the Amazon's deforestation crisis, Brazil's Environment Minister Marina Silva, in 2003, helped implement a plan to halt the destruction. The government increased the protected areas of the rainforest, enforced the Forest Code limiting land clearing, and bolstered IBAMA, the agency responsible for tracking and penalizing illegal deforestation. These measures, along with a Soy Moratorium and similar agreements from the beef industry, led to a significant drop in deforestation rates. However, the rise of the ruralistas, a conservative political group advocating for agricultural interests, led to policy changes that weakened forest protection. The election of President Jair Bolsonaro, an ally of the ruralistas, resulted in further weakening of environmental regulations, leading to a resurgence in deforestation rates and fires. The script warns that the Amazon may not survive another wave of deforestation, as it approaches a critical threshold that could lead to the collapse of the entire rainforest ecosystem.

10:11

🔥 The Consequences of Amazon Deforestation

The script highlights the severe consequences of Amazon deforestation, emphasizing that if deforestation reaches 20-25%, the rainforest could begin to collapse, unable to cycle the water it needs, leading to tree death and the release of massive amounts of carbon dioxide. Despite the scientific consensus on the importance of the Amazon, political and business interests in Brazil continue to prioritize short-term gains over long-term environmental sustainability. The script concludes by emphasizing the historical significance of saving the Amazon and hints at the story of Chico Mendes, a key figure in the original fight to protect the rainforest in the 1980s, whose story is relevant to current events.

Keywords

💡Deforestation

Deforestation refers to the removal of trees and forests, often for the purposes of converting the land for agricultural, logging, or development use. In the context of the video, deforestation is a critical issue as it pertains to the Amazon rainforest, which is being rapidly destroyed with significant environmental consequences. The script mentions that 'trees are falling at a startling rate' and discusses the historical rates of deforestation, highlighting its severity.

💡Amazon Rainforest

The Amazon Rainforest is the world's largest tropical rainforest, located in South America. It is known for its biodiversity and its role in producing a significant portion of the world's oxygen. The video script emphasizes the Amazon's importance by stating that 'half of the species of life on earth is in these forests' and 'one-fifth of the oxygen we breathe' comes from it, illustrating its vital role in global ecology.

💡Trans-Amazonian Highway

The Trans-Amazonian Highway is a major infrastructure project in Brazil that was intended to connect remote parts of the Amazon rainforest. The script mentions this highway as a catalyst for deforestation, as it made previously inaccessible areas of the rainforest more accessible for settlement and economic exploitation, leading to a 'land rush' and rapid forest clearing.

💡Beef and Soy Industries

The beef and soy industries are highlighted in the script as major drivers of deforestation in the Amazon. The demand for beef led to the conversion of forests into pastures, while the increasing global demand for soybeans, used as feed for livestock, prompted the expansion of soy farms into the rainforest. The script notes that 'Brazil’s beef and soy industries were driving a booming economy, as well as unprecedented rates of deforestation'.

💡Environmental Groups

Environmental groups are organizations that work to protect the environment and promote sustainable practices. In the video, these groups are depicted as fierce opponents to deforestation, raising awareness about the rapid destruction of the Amazon and pushing for protective measures. The script references their efforts, stating 'The staggering deforestation in the Amazon attracted fierce resistance from environmental groups'.

💡Lula da Silva

Lula da Silva, or Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, is a former president of Brazil who is mentioned in the script as a key figure in efforts to combat deforestation. His administration implemented policies that helped to significantly reduce deforestation rates. The script credits his government with stepping in and creating a plan that included expanding protected areas and strengthening enforcement.

💡IBAMA

IBAMA is the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources, responsible for enforcing environmental laws, including those related to deforestation. The script discusses how the strengthening of IBAMA was key to enforcing anti-deforestation policies in Brazil, with the agency tracking and fining illegal deforestation activities.

💡Soy Moratorium

The Soy Moratorium is an agreement signed by major food companies to not purchase soy from newly deforested lands in the Amazon. The script mentions this as a significant step taken by the agricultural industry in response to consumer pressure, which helped to curb deforestation by making the continuation of such practices economically unviable.

💡Ruralistas

Ruralistas are conservative politicians in Brazil who represent the interests of the agricultural industry. The script describes how they gained influence and pushed for policies that weakened environmental protections, leading to an increase in deforestation. They are portrayed as a political force that has worked against the preservation of the Amazon rainforest.

💡Jair Bolsonaro

Jair Bolsonaro is the current president of Brazil, who is mentioned in the script as an ally to the ruralistas. His administration has been associated with policies that have led to an increase in deforestation. The script indicates that under his leadership, the forest service was transferred to the agricultural ministry, and the Environmental Ministry was weakened, contributing to the current crisis.

💡Climate Change

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, primarily caused by human activities such as deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels. The script implies the connection between deforestation in the Amazon and climate change, suggesting that if deforestation continues, it could lead to the collapse of the rainforest, which would release massive amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, exacerbating global warming.

Highlights

The Amazon rainforest is facing an environmental crisis of immense proportions.

In the 1980s, the world became aware of the Amazon's endangerment with trees falling at an alarming rate.

The Amazon is crucial for producing one-fifth of the world's oxygen and hosting 20% of the planet's freshwater.

Half of the Earth's species reside in these forests, making them vital for global survival.

By the 1990s, the destruction of the Amazon seemed unstoppable and irreversible.

Surprisingly, the annual deforestation rate dropped by 70%, marking the lowest since records began.

The Amazon's potential for zero deforestation seemed achievable, a monumental accomplishment.

Protecting the Amazon is an ongoing process requiring constant vigilance.

Despite past successes, the Amazon is currently experiencing renewed destruction through fires and deforestation.

The first wave of deforestation began in the 1970s with Brazil's military regime exploiting the Amazon for profit.

The construction of the Trans-Amazonian Highway facilitated the exploitation of the rainforest's resources.

Government incentives led to a land rush, with settlers clearing vast areas for pastures and agriculture.

The Arc of Deforestation emerged as a result of this rapid and extensive land clearing.

The global demand for meat increased the need for soybeans, further driving deforestation in the Amazon.

Brazil's beef and soy industries boomed, but at the expense of unprecedented deforestation rates.

Environmental resistance and government intervention under President Lula da Silva led to a plan to curb deforestation.

The government expanded protected areas and enforced stricter regulations on land use.

IBAMA, a police agency, was instrumental in enforcing anti-deforestation laws and fines.

The agricultural industry responded to consumer pressure by signing moratoriums against deforestation.

Despite protection efforts, conservative politicians and agricultural interests began to weaken environmental regulations.

Under President Bolsonaro, deforestation rates surged due to weakened environmental policies.

The Amazon is at a critical threshold; deforestation beyond 20-25% could lead to a catastrophic collapse of the ecosystem.

The Amazon's destruction for short-term gains poses a threat to the planet's survival.

The Amazon was saved once before, emphasizing the importance of continued protection efforts.

Transcripts

"And in South America tonight, an environmental problem

of a much greater magnitude."

"The destruction of the Amazon rainforest."

"A worldwide disaster."

In the 1980s, the world learned that the Amazon was in danger.

"Trees are falling at a startling rate..."

"77,000 square miles..."

"... an area twice the size of Belgium..."

"...the size of New York State..."

"...the size of California, disappears."

And why it was so important to save it.

"One-fifth of the oxygen we breathe."

"20% of the world's fresh water."

"Half of the species of life on earth is in these forests."

"...An ecosystem the entire world needs for its survival."

By the 1990s, it seemed like it was too late.

"The destruction accelerates."

"More than twice as fast as previously believed."

"Virtually impossible to control."

"Once it is gone, it is gone forever."

Then, something changed:

"The annual destruction rate of the Amazon rainforest has dropped...

...by 70%."

"The lowest rate of deforestation since records began."

"The Amazon could achieve the end of deforestation.

A huge accomplishment."

But in order to keep it safe, there was one condition:

"Protecting the forest is a continual process."

"Brazil will need to stay vigilant."

But it didn’t.

"The Amazon is burning."

"Consumed by fire."

"Fires have been raging."

"Thousands of fires are blazing..."

"...as more and more trees are cut down."

"Deforestation of the Amazon rainforest hit its highest rate in a decade."

Today, the Amazon is being destroyed, all over again.

The question is:

Can it be saved this time?

The first wave of deforestation started in the 1970s.

That’s when Brazil’s military regime saw the potential for profit deep in the Amazon.

There were almost 5 million square kilometers of rainforest filled with natural resources.

"Amazonia’s ores and minerals,

food, fiber, and forest resources are vast."

But most of it was inaccessible.

So the government started building the Trans-Amazonian Highway

an ambitious project that would

run for 3200 kilometers connecting remote parts of the rainforest.

At the time, most of Brazil’s population lived in the southeast; in cities like

Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.

And the government wanted to move people out here - to cultivate the land and grow the economy.

So they offered free land along the highway and paid Brazilians to settle deeper in the rainforest.

And they sparked a land rush.

As the road advanced, settlers followed, rapidly clearing the forest around it.

Most of them turned the land into pasture, where they raised cows to sell as beef.

And when these ranchers needed more land, they seized another plot, cleared it, and moved their cattle in.

This expansion deeper into the Amazon drove up deforestation.

Between 1978 and 1988, an average of over 20,000 square kilometers were cut down each year.

Over time this area became known as the Arc of Deforestation.

And soon, a different product pushed this even further.

People around the world were eating more meat, decade after decade.

That trend raised the need for more soybeans; which served as high-protein feed for farmed animals.

This created a huge opportunity for countries most suitable for growing soybeans,

and Brazil cashed in.

Soybean exports from Brazil shot up in the mid '90s, boosting the economy.

By the early 2000s, farmers took over these pastures and turned them into massive soy farms.

Like this one, in Acre state.

And the ranchers who sold their pastures, moved their cattle further into the rainforest,

clearing more of the Amazon, often illegally.

This aggressive expansion created a profitable pattern in the Amazon.

But it came at the cost of the rainforest.

By the early 2000s, Brazil’s beef and soy industries were driving a booming economy,

as well as unprecedented rates of deforestation...

Which caused this arc to expand further north.

The staggering deforestation in the Amazon attracted fierce resistance from environmental groups.

"An area of ancient forest, the size of a football field

is destroyed every two seconds."

The Brazilian government, under president Lula da Silva, finally stepped in.

This is Marina Silva.

She was Brazil's Environment Minister in 2003, when she helped craft a plan to stop deforestation.

It started with the government expanding the amount of rainforest under protection.

At the time, only about 28% was protected, and there was very little oversight.

But this new plan added more reserves, where business activities were strictly banned,

and also created more sustainable-use reserves, where some businesses,

like Brazillian nut harvesting and rubber-tapping, which didn’t destroy the rainforest, were allowed.

More land was also demarcated for indigenous people, who preserved the forest.

Over time, hundreds of new protected lands were added, transforming the Amazon into a

shared and sustainable space.

Eventually, almost half the Amazon would be put under some form of protection,

while the rest of it remained a mix of pasture, farms and rainforest.

To prevent further deforestation here, the government strengthened the Forest Code:

which said landowners could only clear 20% of their private land.

This law was monitored by the Forest Service, which was part of the Environmental Ministry,

which had jurisdiction over all of these protected lands.

And the key to enforcing this entire plan was strengthening IBAMA:

a police agency that would track and fine people for illegal deforestation.

And the plan showed results:

with deforestation rates falling by more than half in 2006.

At the same time, an activist movement was forcing the agricultural industry

to make a change.

Major food companies started feeling pressure from consumers for participating in deforestation.

So several got together, and in 2006, signed a Soy Moratorium: which meant they could continue to operate

within existing farms, but they wouldn't buy soy from any newly deforested land in the Amazon.

Three years later, beef companies signed a similar agreement.

Other countries also gave Brazil money to help it protect the Amazon.

Under all this protection, deforestation rates plummeted to historic lows.

And yet, Brazil’s soy and beef industries continued to grow, thanks to more efficient techniques:

Ranchers started growing crops on their existing pastures.

And farmers planted two crops a year on their land instead of one.

Brazil had found a way make to Amazon both productive, and protected.

But there were some who still wanted it to be a more profitable place.

The ruralistas, a group of conservative politicians who represent the interests of the agricultural industry,

including farmers and ranchers, started gaining influence in Brazil.

In the early 2000s they had about 17% of the seats in congress.

But by 2012 they had about 30%...

Enough power to push President Dilma Rousseff to weaken the Forest Code,

which allowed landowners to get away with clearing more land.

In 2016, they pushed President Michel Temer to slash IBAMA's budget.

They also helped him pass a law that made it easier for people who illegally seized

land in the Amazon, to keep it.

These changes emboldened some people to seize and clear the rainforest again.

And that led to a rise in deforestation rates.

In 2018, as the ruralistas controlled 44% of Congress,

Jair Bolsonaro, a right-wing congressman and ally to the ruralistas, was elected president.

On his second day in office, he transferred the forest service, which monitors the

forest code, to the agricultural ministry - led by a ruralista.

He's also worked to systematically weaken the Environmental Ministry.

Under Bolsonaro, deforestation has increased significantly in 2019,

most of it taking place in these protected areas.

Setting fires is a common way to clear land...

And in August 2019, over 30,000 fires were burning in the Amazon:

Three times as many as in August 2018.

Many set illegally by ranchers, farmers, and landowners, emboldened by the government's new stance on the Amazon.

But this time, the Amazon is unlikely to survive another wave of deforestation.

In the last 50 years, it's estimated that about 17% of the Amazon has been deforested.

A 2018 report estimated that, if it reaches 20-25%, the whole rainforest could start to collapse.

It wouldn't be enough to cycle all the water it needs, causing trees to die.

And that would release a huge amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, further warming the planet.

But in Brazil, many politicians and agricultural businesses continue to ignore the science

for the sake of profit.

Clearing the Amazon for short-term gains overlooks the fact

that the planet as we know it wouldn't exist without this rainforest.

It’s why this place was saved once before.

Thanks for watching this special edition of Vox Atlas.

This is one of three that we produced on the Amazon.

And this one was about the drivers of deforestation and

and some of the Brazilian politics surrounding the current crisis today.

In the next one we're going to take a step back in the history

We're going to meet a man named Chico Mendes

who led the original fight to save the Amazon, back in the 1980s.

His story is super interesting and very relevant to today.

So make sure to come back and watch more Vox Atlas in the Amazon.