Cattle Ranching: Enemy of the Amazon

by Avery Stengele, Editor

Current Event/Opinion

The largest rainforest in the world, the Amazon, is dying. Not because of logging or poachers, but the beef inside grocery stores and stomachs. Unsustainable cattle ranching is destroying both the Amazon and Earth’s environment.

The destruction of the Amazon starts even before the cattle arrive. Farmers use “slash-and-burn agriculture” to clear large sections of forests for grazing. The thick layer of ash on the once-lush ground creates fertile soil for various grasses: the cows’ primary food source. Farmers burn down the rainforest during dry seasons to quicken the process, further increasing the chances of a disastrous fire. Consequently, the Amazon’s rate of forest fires has risen by over 85% in the past two years due to irresponsible slash-and-burn practices (CNR). In 2019, 5.4 million acres of forest, the size of New Jersey, burned to a crisp after land-clearing fires became uncontrollable (NatGeo). To prevent further fires, slash-and-burn agriculture must stop.

Once the cattle have begun grazing and reproducing, they release detrimental amounts of greenhouse gas. On top of the hundreds of millions of tons of carbon dioxide released annually from South American deforestation, cows emit substantial amounts of methane (NatGeo). In just one year, one cow will “release 220 pounds of methane,” a gas “shorter-lived than carbon dioxide but 28 times more potent” (UCD). Such large greenhouse gas emissions build up in the atmosphere, creating a layer of gas that acts as a blanket. Because of the gas-blanket, warmth is trapped in Earth’s atmosphere, increasing temperatures, and changing environments.

Despite the alarming evidence and progression of global warming, people remain skeptical. After all, how can the loss of one rainforest permanently alter the course of humankind? Simply put, the fewer trees, the less moisture the Amazon Rainforest retains, the drier the forest. Scientists Thomas Lovejoy and Carlos Nobre discovered that once deforestation of the Amazon reaches 20-25%, Northern South America’s climate will change forever. Plants that require high levels of moisture will die of dehydration. The once rich biodiversity of the Amazon will diminish as wildlife fight to survive, pushing rare species to extinction. The rainforest full of essential resources will be completely destroyed through artificial selection, leaving behind an empty, desolate savannah.

The Amazon Rainforest is home to over three million species of plants and animals, as well as millions of Indigenous peoples (Greenpeace). Cattle ranching is violating their livelihoods and killing their future. The dramatic loss of land and biodiversity the Amazon is facing is destroying countless resources, such as medicine, shelter, sustainable food, security, and culture. At the current rate of deforestation, humanity is well on its way to many negative changes. Zoonotic diseases are at a higher risk of reaching the public, thanks to a progressively decimated habitat. The rainforest is becoming desiccated, with dry seasons lasting longer every year, reinforcing the unsustainability of such destructive ranching practices (Science Advances). Once their resources dry up, other agricultural practices, even sustainable farming, will lack the resources necessary to meet demands. According to the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental studies, the Amazon Basin is storing up to 140 billion tons of carbon. If released into the air, the amount of carbon dioxide would be “equivalent to 140 years of all human-induced carbon emissions” (Rainforest Trust). If cattle ranching continues, the entire world will face the consequences of Amazon deforestation.

While unsustainable cattle ranching is growing, steps still need to be taken to save the Amazon Rainforest and wellbeing of communities. Abstaining from Brazilian-sourced beef and dairy products will lower demand, making cattle ranching less lucrative. The loss of profit will force workers and companies to focus on more sustainable alternatives. Furthermore, signing petitions, volunteering, and encouraging international leaders to confront South American governments about environmental issues will help further protect the Amazon. Even educating friends and family can mean the difference between ignorance or saving the planet’s future.

Choosing sustainable alternatives to cow products, especially beef, will help discourage Amazonian deforestation and preserve the environment. If preemptive measures are not taken to stop cattle ranching in the Amazon rainforest, a distant and depressing future will become humanity’s reality.

DISCLAIMER: The opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints expressed by the various authors in this paper do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of Kamiak High School or The Gauntlet.

Sources

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