Deforestation

Overview of Topic Deforestation is the conversion of forested areas to non-forested Generally this removal or destruction of significant areas of forest cover has resulted in a degraded environment with reduced biodiversity Deforestation greatly contributes to greenhouse gas accumulation in the atmosphere If the current rate of deforestation continues, the worlds forests will vanish within 100 years

Image source: http://images.wri.org/sdm-gene-02-deforestation.jpg

Background Deforestation has been practiced by humans for thousands of years. Fire was first tool that allowed humans to modify the landscape Deforestation correlated with the agricultural revolution as space is needed for crops (8-10 thousand years ago)

Rationale Growing worldwide demand for wood Forest used for fire wood or in construction, paper and furniture Clearing land for commercial and industrial development (including road construction) Growth of Local Populations in rural areas increases demand for agricultural space and wood fuel

Rationale (continued) Timber and logging industries are one of the main culprits of deforestation in the Boreal Forests Land clearing for grazing cattle Agricultural expansion for local and exportable crops

Effects of Deforestation on Climate Deforestation alters the hydrologic cycle, potentially increasing or decreasing the amount of water in the soil and groundwater and the moisture in the atmosphere Forests act as a sink for carbon which reduces the greenhouse effect and global warming

Effects of Deforestation on Climate Nearly half of the estimated 52 billion tons of carbon stored in the Earth's biomass is found in tropical forests1 Deforestation contributes around 25% of global greenhouse emissions through the rotting and burning of vegetation2 CO2 has increased in the atmosphere 30% in the last 250 years mostly due to deforestation and forest fires3

Deforestation’s Contribution to Global Warming Image source: http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/solutions/recognizing-forests-role-in-climate-change.html

Effects of Deforestation on Climate Forest and land-use measures have the potential to reduce net carbon emissions by the equivalent of 10-20% of projected fossil fuel emissions through 20504 Deforestation can lead to: Soil erosion Landslides Flash flooding Alteration in forest biodiversity Increased temperatures (estimated to reach 130° during the day) Drought

Anti-deforestation Measures Increased policing of Amazon regions 2004 saw the start of integrated actions undertaken by the federal police, federal highway police and labor ministry. There was a further 83% in registered infractions, 73,000 cubic meters of illegally-logged timber were confiscated, and six anti-deforestation combat bases (there will eventually be nineteen) were created. More frequent satellite sweeps of the region to pinpoint illegal activities. http://www.brazilsf.org/brazil_press5.htm

Kyoto Protocol Connections Forests in many parts of the world act as major carbon absorbers providing the necessary leeway for different countries’ emissions Under the Kyoto Protocol countries that exceed their targeted cuts in GHG emissions or are producing less than the required limit, will be able to sell emission-reduction credits to those unable to meet their targets With deforestation and the loss of many forests, the carbon storage value dissipates Countries will loose substantial economic revenues

Compensated Reduction Countries that elect to reduce national level deforestation to below a 1980-1990 level would receive post facto compensation This will create large scale incentive to commit to stabilization and further reduction of deforestation in the future This will also facilitate significant developing country participation in the Kyoto Protocol Framework

Driving forces behind deforestation in Brazil Tax laws Corporations and individuals can exclude up to 80%-90% (respectively) of agricultural profits from their taxable income under various provisions of the tax code Demand for land becomes extremely high, as agricultural projects become extremely attractive to corporate and private investors.

Driving forces behind deforestation in Brazil This system harms the small, poor farmer, since the low tax rate level becomes capitalized into the price of land, reflected in high land prices, making it unprofitable for the poor farmers of Brazil. This forces them to move further into the Amazon in search of cheap, unclaimed land, leading to the rules of land allocation that further encourage deforestation.

Driving forces behind deforestation in Brazil After 5 years on a plot of land, the inhabitant gets legal title to that land. This encourages poor farmers to go into the forest and clear land for themselves as it will be granted directly to them after 5 years http://www.rcfa-cfan.org/english/issues.12-6.html

Driving forces behind deforestation in Brazil Uncleared forest land is considered unused, resulting in higher taxes Three major changes needed: lower the amount a single land owner can hold from 3000 hectares to 100-200 hectares, land holding ceilings need to be implemented (or reduced) for corporations, and the definition of “used land” needs to include various forms of forest management schemes. http://www.colby.edu/personal/t/thtieten/defor-brazil.html

Questions For Group Do you have any other proposed incentives to curb deforestation other than changing tax laws, increasing policing and carbon trading? If deforestation is an issue in your country, are there any anti-deforestation programs that you have successfully implemented?

National Intelligence Council Works Cited Wikipedia National Intelligence Council Tropical Deforestation and the Kyoto Protocol: A new proposal http://conserveonline.org/docs/2004/07/Tropical_Deforestation_and_Kyoto_Protocol.pdf http://www.physorg.com/news7491.html http://www.climnet.org/EUenergy/forests_and_climate_change/index.htm http://www.rcfa-cfan.org/english/issues.13.html http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/solutions/recognizing-forests-role-in-climate-change.html