Overview of solutions to Amazon Deforestation:

(Butler 2012)

Subsistence farmers as well as illegal loggers, infrastructural improvements, and commercial agriculture all play a part in the destruction of the Amazon (Butler 2012). Fortunately, since 1980, the Brazilian government has been addressing this issue by taking steps stop deforestation. An increase in government enforcement of environmental laws by the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA), the improvement of forest monitoring systems, and the expansion of protected and indigenous areas coupled with a renewed sensitivity towards environmental conservation have made a massive impact in Brazil’s anti-deforestation effort (Butler 2012). Consequently, the area of deforestation has decreased from 7,000 km² in 2009-2010 to 6,238 km² in 2010-2011 – an 11% reduction from the forest cleared in 2008 (Goldberg 2011). Therefore, although the rainforest is still being cleared, the rate at which deforestation is occurring is less (Goldberg 2011). Hopefully, Brazil will eventually be able to completely eradicate the destruction of the Amazon. 

Butler, R. A., (2012) Deforestation in the Amazon. Mongabay.com. (Date Accessed: May 17, 2013.) http://www.mongabay.com/brazil.html

Chang J. (2007) As Brazil’s Rain Forest Burns Down, Planet Heats Up.  http://www.mcclatchydc.com. McClatchy Newspapers.  (Date Accessed: May 12, 2013)

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2007/09/08/19533/as-brazils-rain-forest-burns-down.html#.UY_TuLWcfTo

Goldberg, S., (2011) New Deforestation Data From Brazil Shows Continued Progress. Union of Concerned Scientists: News Center. Union of Concerned Scientists. (Date Accessed: May 15, 2013) http://www.ucsusa.org/news/press_release/new-deforestation-data-shows-progress-1356.html

Stief, C. (2013) Slash and Burn Agriculture: Slash and Burn Can Contribute to Environmental Problems. About.com. (Date Accessed: May 12, 2013.) http://geography.about.com/od/urbaneconomicgeography/a/slashburn.htm