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There should be more stringent regulations on deforestation worldwide. Without regulations that effectively eliminate deforestation, the Earth will experience severe global warming, increased desertification and a staggering loss of biodiversity [Canadian Forestry Advisers Network]. The underlying cause of deforestation is the overwhelming debt of many developing countries located in the tropical regions of the world. Tropical rainforest countries own roughly two-thirds of the developing world's total debt [Mongabay.com]. The only way they can produce payment of these debts and interest payments are to exploit the natural resources for quick and easy returns. High interest rates coupled with the global recession make it impossible for these countries to pay off their debt. 

What current regulations are in place? Why are they not effective?

The major instruments in the legislative framework [of Latin America and the Caribbean] are new and improved environmental institutions, such as ministries to co-ordinate environmental management and enforce laws; the inclusion of environmental matters in the constitution; the setting of environmental standards and norms through legislation; the use of economic instruments; and increased public participation and education.  [UN Environment Programme, Global State of the Environment Programme 1997]

These strategies look great on paper but actually do very little to control deforestation. Consider the communist form of government - it appears fantastic on paper, but fails to live up to its great expectations in the real world. Remember, most of the people in the regions of tropical rainforest are third world nations. According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs these individuals have not achieved a high enough level to even consider caring about the environmental ecosystems. In these nations, the environment always takes a backseat to social welfare and economic concerns [Joy Adams]. Interestingly enough, this same mentality is characteristic of certain corporations in developed nations; except greed corrupts their judgment. Going back to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, in defense of those who let the conquest of money dominate their lives, these individuals are stuck in the fourth level of the pyramid due to a severe deficit in self-esteem and self-respect. Most importantly, although these nations have recognized the need for action and even made efforts to protect their environments, they lack the ability, or - dare I say - desire, to enforce.

Fuelled by demand for cheap supplies of plywood and tropical timber both at home an abroad, illegal timber is estimated to account for 80 percent of all timber produced in the Brazilian Amazon.

Yet despite the publication of these figures by Brazil's National Government in 1997, importing nations such as the US, Italy, France, UK, China and Japan have taken few steps to ensure that the products they import from Brazil come from even legal, let alone ecologically responsible, sources. [GreenPeace.org]

This gives irrefutable proof that the current regulations in place are not a sufficient means of abolishing deforestation.

How is the main cause of deforestation economic? Why are they in debt?

First, one should examine why these countries are still developing nations. When the Europeans first colonized these regions the local population experienced a loss of the economic prosperity as the profits went directly to the mother country. Along with resource extraction from the region, colonization of these lands initiated global trade which led to the diffusion of new crops. By the start of the twentieth century, the dependency on high priced imports developed high poverty rates throughout the region. Through import substitution these nations saw promising improvements; however, the crude oil shortage of the 1970's and 1980's and the sharp decline of raw material prices, threatened to hinder the economic development of the region. In order to prevent such hindrances these nations withdrew enormous loans from various world lending organizations. After the exports could no longer support the economy, even the borrowed money failed to improve economic conditions. These countries are still largely in debt today. The current economic situation of the region is referred to as a structural adjustment phase and is aimed at generating enough revenue to pay back loans by encouraging a free market economy. As a result of these national debts, extractive activities have increased in order to obtain hard currency. It is also important to note that the raw material extraction industry is highly vulnerable to sudden price changes. This presents a catch-22 - when market prices are good one can expect mass rapid extraction to take place with little concern for environmental impact, when prices are low the same amount of detrimental extraction takes place in order for loggers to meet their quotas on time. Also, the non-effectual environmental policy attracts foreign investment to corporations looking to minimize costs.

How much in debt are they? [Pulsipher graph, Economic Issues: Middle and South America]

What are these "stricter regulations" that should be emplaced?

The best solution according to Greenpeace:

Strong public demand and pressure from non-governmental organizations, combined with real commitments from corporate buyers to purchase products only from FSC certified forests, is one solution to help stop ancient forest destruction and promote ecologically and socially responsible management of the world's forests. [GreenPeace.org]

            What is the FSC?

FSC certification means that the forest of origin has been independently inspected and evaluated according to the environmental, social and economic principles and criteria agreed by the Forest Stewardship Council A.C.

                        How do they do it?

The Forest Stewardship Council has developed rigorous procedures and standards to evaluate whether organizations (certification bodies) can provide an independent and competent forest evaluation (certification) service. This process is known as 'accreditation'. FSC accredited certification bodies are required to evaluate all forests aiming for certification according to the FSC Principles and Criteria for Forest Stewardship Accredited certification bodies may operate internationally and may carry out evaluations in any forest type. Certified forests are visited on a regular basis, to ensure they continue to comply with the Principles and Criteria. The performance of the certification bodies is closely monitored by FSC. Products originating from forests certified by FSC-accredited certification bodies are eligible to carry the FSC-logo, if the chain-of-custody (tracking of the timber from the forest to the shop) has been checked. [Forest Stewardship Council]       

Furthermore, I propose that the purchase of illegal timber be monitored by an international bureau of environmentalists from each importing country. Those reported to have purchased illegally harvested timber, such as corporations in developed countries, shall pay heavy fines, in the amount that makes purchasing forest steward certified timber much less expensive a cost. This money shall be directly spent on whichever environmental preservation endeavor the bureau deems worthy as long as it helps to end deforestation.               

 

Cited References

<http://www.grida.no/geo1/ch/ch3_20.htm> [UN Environment Programme Global State of the Environment Programme 1997]

<World Regional Geography Lecture on Latin America> [Joy Adams lecture on 02/18/04]

<http://archive.greenpeace.org/forests/> [GreenPeace.org]

<http://www.angelfire.com/alt2/rob123/images/debt.jpg> [Pulsipher World Regional Geography Textbook, Economic Issues: Middle and South America]

<http://www.fscoax.org/principal.htm> [Forest Stewardship Council]

<http://www.rcfa-cfan.org/english/issues.12-6.htm> [Canadian Forest Advisers Network]