A potential solution

As mentioned in an earlier blog post clearing areas of forest for cattle ranching is one of the major land use changes that has been occurring in certain rainforests and also significantly contributes to global carbon emissions. One estimate has claimed that cattle ranching is responsible for 3.4% of all global carbon emissions (WWF, 2007) and accounts for 80% of deforestation in Amazon rainforest countries.

Potential solutions to this problem seem fairly radical but some have argued that they are necessary to save the rainforest and reduce carbon emissions. Nepstad et al (2008) argue that Brazil, as the main perpetrator need to do two things. First, to agree to reduce it's rate of deforestation and set a target. The second would be for the global marketplace to effectively exclude Amazonian cattle and soy from the supply chains (those being the main causes of deforestation). I'm not sure how likely this would be to occur, as one not being well informed on the in's and out's of McDonalds' supply chain and any potential link with Amazonian beef. This would undoubtedly create a reduction in income among the countries concerned. Nepstad et al offer the solution of the deficit being made up by REDD (hence why I posted a link to a video in my last blog) or by payments for a tropical forest carbon credits scheme under a U.S. cap and trade scheme.

With the deficit being estimated at between $7 and $18 billion and that only in Brazil's budget mind, I find it fairly difficult to believe that this would ever be carried out. But perhaps that's just the natural sceptic within me. However, that doesn't stop me thinking that if we all cut down on the McDonalds and steak we might be able to alleviate the problem.

The location of problem cows in the Amazon

That's all for now.