1. Deforestation

2. 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

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

4. 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)

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

10. Deforestation’s Contribution to Global Warming
Image source:

11. 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

13. 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.

14. 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

15. Compensated Reduction
Countries that elect to reduce national level deforestation to below a 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

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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

19. 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 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.

20. 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?

21. National Intelligence Council
Works Cited
Wikipedia
National Intelligence Council
Tropical Deforestation and the Kyoto Protocol: A new proposal