An undeniable dilemma troubling Brazil is the destruction of the Amazon rainforest. The felling of trees arises for the sake of mining, logging, urbanization, farming, and ranching; this undoubtedly presents damaging circumstances not only upon wildlife but also upon humanity as a whole.
We shall first examine the impact that deforestation wields against animal life: the disruption of delicate ecosystems strips countless species of their habitats. "Today, more than 20% of the Amazon rainforest has been destroyed and is gone forever;" in light of this reality, "experts also estimate that 130 species of plants, animals, and insects are lost every day. At the current rate of destruction, it is estimated that the last remaining rainforests could be destroyed in less than 40 years." (Schaffner). For example, a four-square-mile area of rainforest alone may “contain … 125 species of mammals, 400 species of birds, 100 species of reptiles, and 60 species of amphibians” (Wright). Particularly, Amazonia is home to "more than 1,500 kinds of birds," whose extinction looms in the irresponsible exploitation of the environment (Galloway).
However, it is here that we venture to overcome the reckless shortsightedness of deforestation. Brazil must constructively channel its Catholic majority toward sustainable development in accordance to the notion of stewardship.
The essential question is this: how may principles of Catholic Social Teaching encourage individuals to combat Brazilian deforestation and thereby the subsequent animal extinction?
The aforementioned post discusses the problematic consequences of deforestation in Brazil, particularly regarding animal extinction. As Josh cited, this is an undeniable dilemma that must be addressed by the Catholic majority because it affects humanity as a whole. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) states that the rainforest is one of the most biologically diverse regions of the world. However, the process of deforestation is, unfortunately, destroying this unique environment (“Effects of Deforestation”). What many people don’t realize is that “each form of life works together with the surrounding environment to help recycle waste, maintain the ecosystem, and provide services.” Steve Palumbi of Stamford University noted that ocean ecosystems turn sewage into nutrients, scrub toxins out of the water, produce food for other species, and turn carbon dioxide into food and oxygen. With the loss of many species, however, the “ecosystems could reach a point of no return” (Shah). As a result, the Church calls for its members to focus on the notion of stewardship. Stewardship encourages people to protect, nurture, and utilize the gifts God gave in a proper and respectful manner (“Care for God’s Creation”). By doing so, people not only work toward the common good but also provide a more diverse and opportunistic future for later generations.
ReplyDelete-Jessica
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ReplyDeleteI agree on the subject of this post. This is because the rainforest is "the womb of life because they are home to 50-90% of the species on earth. Many of the world's important crops and domestic animals have been developed from rain forest species"(Rainforest of the World). These animals need the trees because they are the homes to more than 100 species of animals and "90% of our relative, the primates, and 50 million creatures...can live no place like the rainforests" (Stock/Rochen). In order to protect the animals and balance the way of life for the natives who live in the rainforests, the businesses and the government officials must practice stewardship and they must be responsible for the lives of these animal and for the protection of the trees that house these animals. "To care for God's creation is to care for God's children"(Eden Conservancy). If we care about the animals and their habitat, we are also taking care of the natives that live off the animals and the world which needs the rainforest to produce the oxygen and to get rid of the carbon dioxide.
ReplyDeleteJakub
I also believe that the loss of species living in Amazon rain forest is crucial, for most of them are the unique species living only in that certain area; they will not be seen again anywhere else on Earth. "According to the United States National Academy of Science, at least 50 million acres (20 million hectares) of rain forests are destroyed every year" (Oldfield). The Brazilian Government launched Operation Amazonia in 1964, which encouraged huge cattle ranches as well as destruction of biodiversity. Species that are thought to be only abundant in Amazon, for example, Zorro, Giant Otter, Pink River Dolphin, Harpy Eagle, White Uakari Monkey, are now in danger of extinction. As well as the stewardship, I found more aspects of Catholic Social Teaching. Economic Justice For All by National Conference of Catholic Bishops says, there is an "ethical norms for economic life", and "the responsibilities" (32,33). It also mentions that the seemingly abundant land and resources that are being exploited by human's ignorance are the foundation of God's gift of life and are too crucial to be taken for granted. To help endangered species in Amazon, those who are destroying rain forests beyond their needs need to realize the responsibilities and duties to conserve God's creations.
ReplyDelete- Grace Khil
I agree with the above posts because the Amazon rainforest in Brazil is such an expansive and delicate ecosystem. As Jakub said above, the rainforest is home to up to 90% of the species on earth. This means that if even a small portion of the rainforest were to be wiped out, hundreds of species may become endangered or even extinct. “Estimates for the number of species that remain to be discovered vary widely, from a minimum of 1.5 million to as many as 30 million [species]” (Darv). When the ecosystems like the rainforest are indiscriminately abused and destroyed, organisms living in that biome can become extinct, even species of organisms that were never discovered. One of the many undiscovered species of plants can be a cure for one of the many hard to cure diseases that plague humanity, like cancer or AIDS. By cutting down the rainforest in large patches so quickly, we can be loosing these valuable new species that can benefit all of mankind. The people of Brazil need to treat the rainforest and its inhabitants with the respect and care that God’s creation deserves. God gave us dominion over creation to care for and nurture it, not just to use and abuse it for its resources. As a Catholic community, Catholics in Brazil and all over the world can band together using the tools of globalization, like the media and the internet, to gain support to save and preserve the rainforest and the unknown number of species that call it home.
ReplyDelete-Carl