South America is notable for its unique environment, exhibiting unique biological diversity. Large areas of the continent also house relatively untouched ecosystems. However, as the countries in the region develop, preserving these ecosystems becomes a critical issue (Price, et al., 2020). Moreover, effects of the global climate change are threatening to cause significant damage to the continent’s environment (Price, et al., 2020). On the other side of the issue, Latin America is rich in natural resources, which both the local development and the global market forces are pushing to exploit (Price, et al., 2020). In these complex circumstances, different countries choose different approaches to addressing their environmental issues.
In Brazil, deforestation of its native Amazon rainforest is a continuing issue. As the most populous state, this country’s policies actively encourage the process by expanding agricultural and industrial infrastructure (Price, et al., 2020). These policies create a potentially dangerous feedback loop by helping finance the same politics that maintain them (De Area Leão Pereira et al., 2020). Moreover, Brazil’s current government is defunding agencies responsible for environmental preservation efforts, such as the Ministry of the Environment, while empowering business owners closely tied to the agribusiness (De Area Leão Pereira et al., 2020). Although the country maintains a series of conservation areas, they are being reduced and bills are being passed that allow new infrastructure to be established there (De Area Leão Pereira et al., 2020; Price, et al., 2020). As such, Brazil’s approach to the issue of rainforest preservation is exploitative, emphasizing economic and industrial development over environmentalism.
This approach can partially be explained by the country’s position as the most populous and developing country on the continent. Furthermore, external economic factors drive the country’s deforestation and the policies enabling it. For instance, the demand for meat, soybeans, and soy products from China and the U.S. create conditions that are conducive to increasing the amount of land dedicated to agriculture, which prompts deforestation (De Area Leão Pereira et al., 2020). Ultimately, Brazil’s approach to its environmental issues is in many ways determined by its own development and its participation in the global economy.
Colombia neighbors Brazil and extends into the same Amazon rainforest. However, its approach to preserving the unique environment is more aggressive. Similarly to Brazil, it has identified the agricultural industry, particularly livestock ranching, as primary driving forces driving deforestation (Sollund, et al., 2019). However, illegal land claiming and clearing for the cultivation of coca is another significant contributor to the destruction of the country’s natural environment (Sollund, et al., 2019). In an effort to reduce the rate of deforestation, Colombia has enlisted the help of other world governments, notably, Norway and the UK, for financial and technical aid (Sollund, et al., 2019). As a result, Colombian government is partially compensated for successfully implementing environmental policies, and is making progress towards improving the country’s ecological situation (Sollund, et al., 2019). Thus, Colombia’s government policies are more environmentally conscious than those of Brazil.
This can be attributed to Colombia’s history and plans for future development. Recovering from decades-long conflict, reclaiming and preserving the environment can be seen as a statement of intent for peace, to both the internal voters and international partners (Price, et al., 2020). Furthermore, the country is significantly dependent on international exports, and its production of coffee, one of its most important exports, have been negatively impacted by climate change (Price, et al., 2020). As such, environmental efforts are a method through which Colombia is attempting to recover from its violent past.
Overall, the two countries face similar challenges and related to the environment. However, their internal and external social and economic pressures are vastly different, leading to different approaches to environmental protection or exploitation. Brazil’s exploitation is driven in many ways by its growth and international demand for its exports. Colombia’s greener policies can be attributed to its recovery from violent conflict and intent to integrate with the global community. Both countries, however, are significantly affected by the global climate change, and, in turn, their treatment of the Amazon rainforest contributes to it.
References
De Area Leão Pereira, E. J., de Santana Ribeiro, L. C., da Silva Freitas, L. F., & de Barros Pereira, H. B. (2020). Brazilian policy and agribusiness damage the Amazon rainforest. Land Use Policy, 92, 104491. Web.
Price, M., Rowntree, L., Lewis, M., & Wyckoff, W. (2020). Globalization and diversity (6th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Pearson.
Sollund, R., Maldonado, A. M., & Brieva Rico, C. (2019). The Norway-Colombia agreement to protect rainforest and reduce global warming: Success or failure? International Journal for Crime, Justice and Social Democracy, 8(3), 56-73. Web.