The Troubling Amazon Paradox: Continuing the Dialogue
On July 21, 2008, a COHA researcher met with the Brazilian ambassador to Washington, Antonio de Aguiar Patriota, and his consular official for environmental and energy issues, Neil Benevides. Their purpose was to discuss a recent COHA publication on Brazilian government policy concerning the Amazon, titled “Contemporary Brazilian Government Attempts to Address the Amazon Paradox.” The COHA publication will be supplemented in light of new information received from the embassy and further research into the subject.
At the meeting, the Ambassador stated that, as a successful democracy, Brazil’s policy decisions are dictated by the desires of its electorate. The Brazilian people, he maintained, have demonstrated their concerns regarding the conservation of the Amazon and their government has responded by formulating policies which aim to conserve the rainforest.
The Ambassador expressed misgivings about COHA’s analysis, which maintained that the Brazilian government’s newly elaborated conservation policy was in response to international pressure to end deforestation. It is conceivable, however, that the Brazilian electorate’s wish to see an end to deforestation is rooted in international influence and the electorate is, as a result, placing pressure on Brasília. Either way, it is apparent that a majority of the Brazilian electorate, as well as much of the international community, wish to see an end to deforestation and that Brasília has taken positive steps to begin to mitigate the problem. Nevertheless, it must be said that the primary Brazilian government initiative for the region, the Plan for a Sustainable Amazon (PAS), has focused too heavily on self-defeating economic development projects, while ostensibly also promoting conservation.
As was discussed on the occasion of the embassy meeting, the Brazilian government has a considerable dilemma on its hands; it needs to both develop the economy of the... [continues]
On July 21, 2008, a COHA researcher met with the Brazilian ambassador to Washington, Antonio de Aguiar Patriota, and his consular official for environmental and energy issues, Neil Benevides. Their purpose was to discuss a recent COHA publication on Brazilian government policy concerning the Amazon, titled “Contemporary Brazilian Government Attempts to Address the Amazon Paradox.” The COHA publication will be supplemented in light of new information received from the embassy and further research into the subject.
At the meeting, the Ambassador stated that, as a successful democracy, Brazil’s policy decisions are dictated by the desires of its electorate. The Brazilian people, he maintained, have demonstrated their concerns regarding the conservation of the Amazon and their government has responded by formulating policies which aim to conserve the rainforest.
The Ambassador expressed misgivings about COHA’s analysis, which maintained that the Brazilian government’s newly elaborated conservation policy was in response to international pressure to end deforestation. It is conceivable, however, that the Brazilian electorate’s wish to see an end to deforestation is rooted in international influence and the electorate is, as a result, placing pressure on Brasília. Either way, it is apparent that a majority of the Brazilian electorate, as well as much of the international community, wish to see an end to deforestation and that Brasília has taken positive steps to begin to mitigate the problem. Nevertheless, it must be said that the primary Brazilian government initiative for the region, the Plan for a Sustainable Amazon (PAS), has focused too heavily on self-defeating economic development projects, while ostensibly also promoting conservation.
As was discussed on the occasion of the embassy meeting, the Brazilian government has a considerable dilemma on its hands; it needs to both develop the economy of the... [continues]
Cite This Essay
- APA
-
(2010, 09). The Troubling Amazon Paradox. StudyMode.com. Retrieved 09, 2010, from http://www.studymode.com/essays/The-Troubling-Amazon-Paradox-405790.html
- MLA
-
"The Troubling Amazon Paradox" StudyMode.com. 09 2010. 09 2010 <http://www.studymode.com/essays/The-Troubling-Amazon-Paradox-405790.html>.
- CHICAGO
-
"The Troubling Amazon Paradox." StudyMode.com. 09, 2010. Accessed 09, 2010. http://www.studymode.com/essays/The-Troubling-Amazon-Paradox-405790.html.
