Lately Brazil and deforestation of hand in hand. For it has seen countless situations. All where environmental policy and the legal framework plus formally ratified international treaties. Especially where the ecology has been neglected. Thereby bringing serious consequences to biodiversity. As well as the economy and the quality of life. All of the Brazilian people.
As I’ve written:
Satellite images suggest that fires in Brazil and deforestation is up. I mean in the Brazilian Amazon, the rainforest has shot up. All since Jair Bolsonaro became president in January. This is despite his claim on Friday that the data “lies”.
More than 3,700 square kilometers of forest has gone through hell in Brazil deforestation. I mean this year alone. That’s an area about a fifth the size of Wales. So preliminary satellite data indicates. Even before figures for the whole of July are in of 2019.
So the losses for the first seven months of the year are up 16 per cent. That’s on the recent high of 3183 square kilometers in 2016.
Back when I reported and Posted on 26 April 2012. Brazil’s Congress passed legislation late last night that strips the Amazon. That’s as well as other key regions of critical environmental protections. For it was granting amnesty to individuals accused of past illegal deforestation.
WWF condemning the new Forest Code bill. All driven by retrograde sectors of Brazil’s powerful agribusiness industry. For its failure to account for severe social and environmental costs is appalling.
Since 2006, Brazil has demonstrated that it can dramatically reduce its rate of Brazil deforestation. All the while increasing agricultural production and reducing poverty. Brazil’s new government therefore threatens hard-won gains. All for both the environment and Brazilian society.
National Lists to be Erased
An example was an attempt by the Senate to cancel the three national lists of threatened species. That’s of animals and plants through legislative decrees. If successful, this attempt could had left more than 3.200 threatened species. All consequently without any legal protection in Brazil. Luckily, and thanks to the quick mobilization of Brazilian society though. Because this initiative was suspended by the senator. You know, the one who proposed the decrees.
However, this is still far from being a definitive victory since there are still other projects with the same objectives in the Lower House. Even more worrisome is the fact that the national list, which protects 475 species of fish and marine invertebrates threatened with extinction (Ordinance MMA 445 of 2014), has been suspended by injunction.
So people are ignoring the constitutional principles and the consequences for the environment and for Brazilian society. As a consequence, hundreds of species, such as the whale shark and many species of rays. In addition, sea horses and hammerhead sharks. Finally, the wreckfish and groupers. For they all continue to have their populations diminished. That’s with no protection at all.
Right to Ecologically Balanced Environment
The article 225 of the Brazilian constitution states that every Brazilian citizen has the right to have an ecologically balanced environment. In addition, that everyone has the duty to protect and conserve the environment. This is for the present and future generations.
So this article also determines that it is responsibility of the public authority to protect animals and plants. That’s moreover from practices that may drive species to extinction.
Threatened Endangered Species
Therefore, the list of threatened species is an important tool that works as a conservation umbrella to assure their protection. The Minister of Environment coordinates the Biodiversity National Policy and is responsible for publishing the Red Lists of threatened species.
These Brazilian Wildlife Red Lists for Engagement
The Brazilian wildlife Red Lists were the result of six years of careful work. This is by more than 1.500 experts. All using the best science available.
So the species assessment where conducted using the respected methodology. All developed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). One which is adopted by most countries. As well is also globally recognized as the most comprehensive. In addition the only one able to assess the conservation status of all the species. I mean from fungi to higher animals. Therefore, there is no question in regards to the robustness of this list.
For this reason, the suspension of the legal effects of the list by injunction. It ignores the efforts of thousands of scientists. For it put at risk the survivorship. Also the ecological function and free ecological services of almost 500 aquatic species.
These species had their populations severely diminished, some by more than 90%. However, they are still being exploited by fisheries. Also they have their ecosystems destroyed. So they are not even considered at environmental assessments. Especially of potentially impacting activities.
Without this umbrella legal framework, public and private bodies and institutions, and ultimately the Brazilian society, will not be able to stop the decline of these already diminished populations.
In conclusion, the ecological, socio-economic and cultural consequences of the suspension of Ordinance 445 are no other. For they can be irreversible. Moreover, the Brazilian society is the one to pay for this loss.
Source: Oceana, Press Release Date: Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Location: Brasilia, Brazil
Contact: Gabriela do Vale; +55.61.3247.1841,gdovale@oceana.org;
