Brazil: Amazon rainforest deforestation rises sharply (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

Deforestation of the Brazilian Amazon rainforest has increased almost sixfold, new data suggests.

Satellite images show deforestation increased from 103 sq km in March and April 2010 to 593 sq km (229 sq miles) in the same period of 2011, Brazil's space research institute says.

Much of the destruction has been in Mato Grosso state, the centre of soya farming in Brazil.

The news comes shortly before a vote on new forest protection rules.

Brazilian Environment Minister Izabella Teixeira said the figures were "alarming" and announced the setting up of a "crisis cabinet" in response to the news.
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more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-13449792

[cprise]

1. The price of gold is causing increased deforestation too

http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0018875

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[kristopher]

4. Why don't you start a thread announcing your blog.

That is well within the rules, but the practice of spamming links unrelated to the thread is frowned on.

You might also consider making a meaningful contributing to the threads. (If you put the bloglink in your sig line it will show up everytime you post.)

[NickB79]

3. Soy demand is booming worldwide

Particularly in China, where meat consumption is rapidly increasing (the vast majority of soy is used to feed livestock).