Brazil and the Environment

Brazil ranks 47th in the world when it comes to its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is calculated from 7 data sets. Brazil comes in the best 20 in terms of the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population₁ (amongst the highest in The Americas) and in its score on the Green Future Index₂. It does better than average in energy to GDP efficiency₃, how quickly it ratified the 1993 Convention on Biological Diversity and in its environmental performance₄. Brazil does not succeed in everything, however. Brazil does worse than average when it comes to its forested percent change 2000-2020₅. And finally, it sits amongst the bottom 20 in annual meat consumption per person₆. Former climate-change-denying President Jair Bolsonaro ran a long-term campaign to remove environmental protections and increase corporate freedom, resulting in deforestation rising to a 15-year high₇ and doing severe damage to the country (and the world's) health. Since he lost power in 2022 to President Lula da Silva, Brazil's behaviour has improved substantially.

1. Brazil's Responsibility Towards The Environment
2. Data Sets
   1. Forest Area Change 2000-2020
   2. Environmental Performance
   3. Energy to GDP Efficiency
   4. Convention on Biological Diversity
   5. Rational Beliefs on the Environment
   6. Meat Consumption
   7. Green Future Index
3. The Destruction of the Amazon Rainforest
4. Links

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1. Brazil's Responsibility Towards The Environment

#climate_change #the_environment

Compared to The Americas (2023)8
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank8
1	Uruguay	48.0
2	Peru	48.2
3	Costa Rica	49.6
	...
9=	Paraguay	61.0
10	Cuba	64.7
11	Belize	65.3
12	Brazil	66.8
13	El Salvador	71.8
14	Trinidad & Tobago	73.5
15	Nicaragua	75.5
16=	Guatemala	76.2
17	Chile	78.6
	The Americas Avg	80.1
q=35.

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2023)8
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank8
1	Japan	33.2
2	Philippines	45.0
3	Uruguay	48.0
	...
44	Australia	66.4
45=	Egypt	66.6
45=	Austria	66.6
47	Brazil	66.8
48	Bangladesh	67.0
49	Finland	67.4
50=	India	68.6
50=	Hungary	68.6
	World Avg	85.7
q=188.

2. Data Sets

2.1. Forest Area Change 2000-2020

#biodiversity #deforestation #environmentalism #forests #over-exploitation #the_environment

Forest Area Change 2000-2020 Higher is better5
Pos.		Total5
1	Guernsey	82.6%
2	Bahrain	75.2%
3	Iceland	64.7%
	...
194	Indonesia	-9.2%
195	Ecuador	-9.2%
196	Ghana	-9.7%
197	Brazil	-10.1%
198	Guinea	-11.0%
199	Mozambique	-11.1%
200	Sao Tome & Principe	-11.1%
201	Mayotte	-11.6%
	The Americas Avg	-2.1%
	World Avg	-0.1%
q=234.

Brazil comes 197th in the world in terms of its forested percent change 2000-2020.

From 2000 to 2010, Brazil destroyed 40.5 million hectares of forest cover, over six times more than any other country in that period, and damaging not just itself, but the entire world. It held the same dubious record from 2010 to 2020, destroying another 15 million hectares.

Former President Jair Bolsonaro ran a long-term campaign to remove environmental protections and increase corporate freedom, resulting in deforestation rising to a 15-year high₇ and doing severe damage to the country (and the world's) health. Since he lost power in 2022 to President Lula da Silva, Brazil's behaviour has improved substantially. Haunted by the fact that in 2022, 40% of the world's deforestation was in Brazil alone, the new government's environment minister said in 2023 “we are changing the image of the country when we change this reality”.₇

Forests are carbon sinks, mitigating against climate change_9,10. Unfortunately, we are destroying over 70,000 km² of forest each year₁₁. In the last few thousand years, we've removed 30-40% of the Earth's forest cover_12,10, mostly to clear space for agriculture, and for logging_13,14. The produce from both is shipped from poorer countries to richer ones. Half-hearted government efforts and company obfuscation of supply chains makes it almost impossible for consumers to tell which foods and products are from sustainable sources, and which ones are encouraging irresponsible deforestation, meaning that there is little incentive for companies to relent.

The effects are catastrophic. 15% of all greenhouse gas emissions are the result of deforestation_15,13. It brings soil erosion from wind and rain which, over time, can almost-permanently stop any hope of growing food₁₆, and spreads desertification. Entire ecosystems are collapsing as a result, including ones that we depend upon₁₇. The water cycle is driven by forests, and their loss reduces ordinary rainfall, increases flooding, removes an abundant source of water filtration, and contributes to a rise in water levels.₁₈.

Some regions of the world are increasing their forest cover₁₀; the best from 2000-2020 are Scandinavia (13.8% ), The Balkans (11.0% ) and Baltic States (7.6% )₅. There is an overall trend that developed countries gathered their riches by using up their natural resources, and now, they pay poorer countries to use up theirs instead, whilst they can afford to slowly rebuild their natural environments. But it's not wholly that simple - some rich regions are still burning through what they've got. The regions clearing their forests fastest are Central America (-12.8% ), Africa (-9.1% ) and North America (-2.9% )₅.

For more, see:

• "Deforestation" by Vexen Crabtree (2021).

2.2. Environmental Performance

#climate_change #the_environment

Environmental Performance Higher is better4
Pos.		20184
1	Switzerland	87.4
2	France	84.0
3	Denmark	81.6
	...
66	Egypt	61.2
67	Lebanon	61.1
68	Macedonia	61.1
69	Brazil	60.7
70	Sri Lanka	60.6
71	Equatorial Guinea	60.4
72	Mexico	59.7
73	Dominica	59.4
	The Americas Avg	58.8
	World Avg	56.4
q=180.

With regard to its environmental performance, Brazil ranks 69th in the world.

2.3. Energy to GDP Efficiency

#the_environment

Energy to GDP Efficiency Higher is better3
Pos.		20143
1	Hong Kong	26.32
2	Sri Lanka	20.00
3	Panama	17.86
	...
44=	Lithuania	10.42
44=	Norway	10.42
46	Japan	10.20
47	Brazil	10.10
48=	Algeria	10.00
48=	Macedonia	10.00
48=	Croatia	10.00
51	France	09.90
	The Americas Avg	10.78
	World Avg	09.29
q=119.

Brazil comes 47th in the world in terms of energy to GDP efficiency.

2.4. Convention on Biological Diversity

#biodiversity #the_environment #USA

Convention on Biological Diversity Earlier is better
Pos.		Total Signed
1=	China	1993 Dec 29
1=	Guinea	1993 Dec 29
1=	Cook Islands	1993 Dec 29
	...
47	India	1994 May 19
48=	Paraguay	1994 May 25
48=	Hungary	1994 May 25
50	Brazil	1994 May 29
51	Cuba	1994 Jun 06
52	Namibia	1997 Aug 14
53	Sri Lanka	1994 Jun 21
54	Ethiopia	1994 Jul 04
	The Americas Avg	1899 Dec 30
	World Avg	1899 Dec 30
q=197.

With regard to how quickly it ratified the 1993 Convention on Biological Diversity, Brazil is positioned 50th in the world.

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was originally sparked from United Nations activity in the 1980s as a result of rising scientific alarm over the impact of human activity on natural habitats, including a rising awareness of extinctions and shifts in ecosystems that occasionally cause widespread disruption that is difficult (or impossible) to reverse.

After a long period of international consultation involving hundreds of scientists and environmental ministers, the Convention was finalized and launched at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, and received 168 signatures over the subsequent year.

Part of the first wave of signees were a large number of small island nations, who are uniquely susceptible to over-exploitation by rich companies and countries, but simultaneously, are (as a group) the least responsible for driving global extinctions.

Data on when each country ratified the CBD forms part of the formula of the Social and Moral Development Index, with countries losing points for reticence (taking into account the foundation dates of newly independent countries). The USA stands alone in not ratifying it, but is the world's greatest driver for activities that cause biodiversity loss.

For more, see:

• "Humanity is the Cause of the Earth's Current Sixth Mass Extinction Event" by Vexen Crabtree (2019).

2.5. Rational Beliefs on the Environment

Rational Beliefs on the Environment Higher is better1
Pos.		2011 %1
1	Argentina	78.3%
2	Greece	77.6%
3	Brazil	77.1%
4	Trinidad & Tobago	74.5%
5	Costa Rica	74.2%
6	Cyprus	71.0%
7	Guatemala	70.9%
8	Philippines	70.8%
9	S. Korea	70.7%
10	Colombia	70.3%
11	Bolivia	69.3%
12	Paraguay	68.9%
	The Americas Avg	58.6%
	World Avg	39.9%
q=145.

In terms of the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population, Brazil is 3rd-best in the world.

2.6. Meat Consumption

#animal_rights #animal_welfare #diet #food #health #meat #veganism #vegetarianism

Meat Consumption Lower is better6
Pos.		2021 kg6
1	Congo, DR	03.0
2	Burundi	03.5
3	Bangladesh	04.3
	...
171	Portugal	94.6
172	St Kitts & Nevis	96.6
173	Chile	97.8
174	Brazil	98.8
175	Spain	100.3
176	Samoa	106.2
177	Israel	107.7
178	St Vincent & Grenadines	109.5
	The Americas Avg	70.3
	World Avg	52.5
q=185.

Brazil comes 12nd-worst in the world regarding annual meat consumption per person.

Vegetarian diets have health advantages over carnivorous diets. Plant-based diets use much less water than carnivorous ones, to the extent that agricultural and water management scientists are urging governments to encourage people to switch₁₉. Some vegetarians are morally opposed to the maltreatment of animals: some avoid meat products as an offensive against the meat industry. But there are problems with vegetarians, too. Some merely want to look good socially; some have accepted pro-vegetarian ideas that are plain wrong and misguided, and, some faddish vegetarian diets are harmful and dangerous. The countries that ate the least meat throughout the 2010s were Burundi, Congo, DR and Bangladesh₆.

In the 2010s, meat consumption per person in Brazil was nearly double the global average (of 49kgs per year), putting unnecessary strain on water supplies and the environment.₆ Brazil is the world's largest beef exporter, but has been "increasingly under siege for the carbon footprint of its cattle ranches [especially for] rising deforestation, much of which is driven by the meat industry"₂₀. That industry is powerful in Brazil, and has successfully resisted long-term attempts by government and the international community to slow down its rate of land clearance. But, surprisingly some things are changing, led by a grassroots change in consumption.

Health concerns over poor quality diets have led a surge in the number of vegetarians in Brazil, doubling from 2012-2018 to encompass 14% of the population, driven by concerns over health, the environmental impact of its large beef industry, and by vocal animal rights movements₂₀.

2.7. Green Future Index

#brazil #climate_change #deforestation #energy #sustainability #the_environment

Green Future Index Higher is better2
Pos.		2023 Score2
1	Iceland	6.7
2	Finland	6.7
3	Norway	6.4
	...
35	Slovakia	4.8
36	UAE	4.8
37	Morocco	4.7
38	Brazil	4.7
39=	Romania	4.7
39=	Kenya	4.7
41	New Zealand	4.6
42=	Philippines	4.6
	The Americas Avg	4.6
	World Avg	4.8
q=76.

In terms of its score on the Green Future Index, Brazil is 38th in the world.

The Green Futures Index (GFI) has been running since 2021, and looks at 23 data sets for over 70 countries, with a focus on effectiveness, policy and planning 'for a low carbon future. It is complementary to existing goals and frameworks for sustainable development'. Datasets include qualitative appraisals and quantitative measurements on carbon emissions across multiple sectors, renewable and nuclear energy, recycling capabilities, green technologies used in building and construction, transport, scientific and industrial green innovations and patent quantities, climate action and climate policies. Each country is then ranked by their final score.₂₁.

3. The Destruction of the Amazon Rainforest

#agriculture #brazil #environmentalism #exploitation #farming #jair_bolsonaro #rainforests #soya

The Amazon rainforest, over half of which is in Brazil, hosts 15% of Earth's biodiversity, 40% of our tropical forests, and 'stores tens of billions of tonnes of carbon'₁₀. In the last 40 years, we have destroyed 20% of it, generally for cattle farmers and plantations₂₂. Soya-bean producers too, as a result of a surge in demand for things like chicken feed₂₃, since the 1990s_17,22. Before this period, it took us 450 years to clear the same amount₂₂. One third of all species on Earth only live in the Amazon₂₂, and we have directly caused the extinction of thousands of them.

In 2020, helped by Covid-19 lockdowns, the world's carbon emissions may have fallen by 7%. But not in Brazil, which increased its emissions by 10-20% compared to when they were last measured, in 2018.₂₃

“The culprit is deforestation. In the first four months of 2020 an estimated 1,202 square km (464 square miles) were cleared in the Brazilian Amazon, 55% more than during the same period in 2019, which was the worst year in a decade. Come August, when ranchers set fire to cleared areas to prepare them for grazing, runaway blazes could outnumber those that shocked the world last year.

Environmentalists blame Brazil's populist president, Jair Bolsonaro, for the catastrophe. He favours deregulation to allow logging, mining and farming in the forest. [...] In a video of a cabinet meeting in April [2020] released by the Supreme Court, the environment minister, Ricardo Salles, called on the government to "push through" deregulation while people are distracted by the pandemic. [...]

In 2009, a damning report from Greenpeace led JBS, Marfrig and Minerva, meat giants which together handle two-thirds of Brazil's exports, to pledge to stop buying from suppliers that deforest illegally.... using satellites to detect clearing. Soya traders such as Cargill and Bunge have used such systems... since 2008, when retail firms like McDonald's and Tesco said they would no longer buy Amazonian soya harvested on deforested land.”

The Economist (2020)₂₃

But it is only occasionally that public relations pressure is strong enough to force companies - and Brazilian presidents - to take action. Since 2012, the temporary drop in deforestation was obliterated by renewed chopping₂₃.

One easy way around the rules against buying produce from deforested land is so simple, it's painful to hear of its effectiveness. Firms use deforested land to fatten up their livestock, and then move the cattle to legal farms before selling them. On paper, it looks legit as long as you don't do any investigating. Easy - and it's obvious. After Greenpeace reported that a protected Amazon reserve was destroyed, and that JBS, Marfrig and Minerva sold beef grown on the cleared land, they claimed that they didn't know it had come from illegal sources₂₃. Smaller companies are much worse on average, but harder to keep track of. So the lie is allowed to persist by the companies involved, by the Brazilian government and by its law enforcers.

For more, see:

• "Deforestation" by Vexen Crabtree (2021).