The Amazon rainforest is being destroyed by deforestation, with over 600,000 square kilometers destroyed since 1970. Deforestation is occurring for economic reasons like cattle ranching, logging, and agriculture. This destruction is negatively impacting the environment by reducing biodiversity and plant and animal habitats. While government programs aim to curb deforestation, more enforcement of anti-deforestation laws may be needed to directly address the problem.

1. Deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest By: Cristina Helmes

2. What is Deforestation? Deforestation is the process of cutting down, damaging and burning a rainforest.

3. Background The Amazon rainforest is a tropical rainforest located in Brazil It is the largest rainforest in the world-1.4 billion acres Home to many animals and plants Deforestation is an issue occurring in the Amazon rainforest right now

4. More Background Between May 2000 and August 2006, Brazil lost nearly 150,000 square kilometers of forest Since 1970, over 600,000 square kilometers of Amazon rainforest have been destroyed

6. Economic Causes Cattle ranching Logging Currency Devaluation Agriculture Fires Mining

7. Economic Effects Rainforest is cleared out in order to raise cattle to produce beef Trees are being cut down to sell as timber New roads are built in place of the rainforest The rainforest is losing its ability to stay green due to fires Many different species of animals are losing their habitats- can lead to extinction Plants are being killed

8. More Economic Effects Farmers are expanding their pasture areas by clearing out parts of the rainforest Soy bean farms are created

9. Social Causes Dams Wildfires Poor migrants Ex: the Balbina dam

10. Social Effects The flooding of dams destroys the rainforest Wildfires destroy the rainforest Migrants clear the land in order to claim land for themselves

11. Political Causes Some government agencies continue to plan and build roads Some government incentive programs promote agriculture

12. Political Effects Deforestation increases because the government is not fully caring about the harms it causes

14. Solution #1 Law Enforcement: The government could make a law stating that a person is not allowed to cut down trees around the rainforest area, and if that person does, they will receive a fine. Positives: This would help preserve the environment Negatives: This would hurt the economy

15. Solution #2 Government mandated school programs in the region to create further awareness. Positives: This will raise awareness to more people, and help prevent further destruction of the rainforest in the future. Negatives: This may not decrease the problem of deforestation directly.

16. Which Solution is More Effective? Solution #1 because something can directly be done in order to decrease deforestation.

17. Personal Involvement

18. Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0N8no-ql70&feature=related