Organizing and Governing

There are many organizations that help the rain forests. One of these organizations is the Rain Forest Action Network. They have clubs, websites, donations, and buy the rain forest programs. They enable to save an acre by buying one. The clubs have fundraisers to earn money to buy areas of the rain forests so that they can’t be destroyed.

One organization that used to hurt the rain forest was Burger King. They used to clear areas of land to kill rain forests animals for their fast food hamburgers and cheeseburgers. Then a boycott was started against them and they eventually stopped using meat from the rain forests animals.

The governments can have a good effect on the rain forest by lowering taxes for businesses that don’t hurt the rain forests and if they recycle. The governments could also pass laws on the destruction of the rain forest.

            Because the problem of Rainforest destruction is so complex and wide spread it will probably take the participation of many governments to resolve. Much of the problem is caused by poverty in the third world and the huge debt owed by third world countries. The third world owes $1,300,000,000,000 to the industrialized countries of the world. To repay this debt poor counties are now paying back 50 billion dollars a year more than they are receiving in aid. In 1995 Brazil owed a debt of 159 billion dollars. Unless this debt is forgiven poor countries will be forced to find income wherever they can. Unfortunately a good deal of this income will be created at the expense of the Rainforest.

            Brazil alone spends 40% of its annual income simply paying the interest on its debts. Amazingly Brazil is actually one of the richest countries in South America. It is obvious that these third world countries need help in finding solutions. In 1989, petition signed by 3 million people was given to the United Nations in New York. The petition called for immediate and drastic steps to be taken to stop global deforestation. Unfortunately there was no response by the United Nations.

            Industrial nations can help the Rainforest by not supporting projects that get rainforest countries more in to debt, or projects that harm the Rainforest. Industrialized countries can also help by lessening their demand for tropical cash crops. Ineffective or corrupt governments also lead to deforestation. Most ranches in the amazon operate at a loss and only create tax shelters for wealthy individuals. The government offers huge loans and tax credits for land developers. Unfortunately the developed land typically losses money in the long run with deforestation as the only lasting effect. One single Brazilian ranch owned by a British Bank and a wealthy Brazilian family destroyed 500,000 acres of forest but their cattle operation only lost money.

Introduction	Producing, Exchanging & Distributing	Recreation
Protecting	Organizing and Governing	Pros and Cons
Moral & Ethical Behavior	The Team - About Us	HOME