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So why are you a veggie?
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grufty jim
grufty jim
1978 posts

rainforests and corruption
Feb 06, 2001, 18:05
i spent a few months in the rainforests of brazil (mostly in the subtropical areas in the south of the country, but also in the Amazon forest itself), and from my experience working with conservationists, the problems there are so intertwined and complex that just saying "corruption" doesn't get to the heart of the matter - and can actually be a bit misleading.

the simple fact of the matter is that clear-cutting an area of rainforest (or even simply burning it for extra grazing land) results in a significant local economic boost. of course the corporate greedheads at the top of the heap rake in the vast majority of that benefit and spirit it away to their villas on the coast (and overseas), and there's only a pittance left for the local people. but it's a pittance that they don't have without the deforestation.

the rainforest is the only easily exploitable resource in a nation of extremely impoverished people. to deny the brazillians the right to chop down their own forests so that they can get better food for thmselves and their families, is ludicrous unless we offer them an alternative (especially considering the fact that "we in the west" long ago clear cut 95% of our forests for economic benefit).

The rainforest is a vital global resource that must be preserved as best we can. but until the local populations have an alternative method of raising their standard of living, we can hardly blame them for exploiting their resources (as "we in the west" are wont to do).

of course, the root cause of the issue is global capitalism (the practice of placing a monetary value on everything and placing a higher priority on that monetary value than on any other consideration - ecological, ethical or even long-term survival).

'corruption' plays its part in the tragedy that is the Brazillian situation, but the root cause is something far more nebulous.
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Re: Why am I still vege? (IzzyOrange)		 Replies:
rainforests: an addendum (grufty jim)
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