Justice Analysis of deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest
In the Amazon Rainforest, deforestation is an ongoing process that is continuing at a concerning rate. This is putting massive strain on the environment by damaging ecosystems and increasing global emissions (Portela and Rademacher, 2001). Furthermore, as a result of economic development and population growth, the continued exploitation of the Amazon Rainforest over the 20th and 21st has resulted in extreme impacts in neighbouring communities. This includes more extreme weather as well as a more scare source of water and food due to the decrease in the biosphere (Carvalho et al., 2020). Throughout this piece of writing, I will be focusing on the environmental justice issues surrounding the deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest. When looking into environmental justice theory, the key principles relate to equitable distribution of benefits for all stakeholders, recognition of all members of communities related to the Amazon Rainforest and the idea that there should be some responsibility held for the entities that are causing the damage to the ARF (Codato et al., 2024). The Amazon is home to a vast number of indigenous communities, which are seen to be vital pillars in the efforts to reduce the carbon emissions created from the forest. This is because they are recognised as “conscientious stewards of the forest lands” (Blackman and Veit, 2018, pg. 1). In the Amazon, indigenous people are accountable for the running of upwards of 30% of land. Over the last decade, international organisations have funded $2.7 billion into thew preservation of the ARF, however less than 1% of that is received by communities in the rainforest (Griffin, 2023). This would suggest that the benefits and support in relation to the deforestation of the Amazon Rainforest is not evenly distributed. Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest that the rights and land of endogenous communities is not respected and often exploited by investors and private sector agents (Gualinga, 2024). Aswell as this, there is damage caused from illegal organisations such as the illegal mining that happens in the Amazon that not only damages the environment but for indigenous people too as they hold great spiritual significance in the land, as well as it being there food and water source (UN, 2022). Furthermore, the lack of engagement with these communities in decision making has resulted in indigenous communities losing access to fundamental practices in their culture, such as traditional medical practices which has resulted in an increase in the spread of forest associated infectious diseases (Kanungo, 2023). As well as this, there is a threat to the cultural identity of the population as these populations view the forest as an integral part of their culture and it can be argued that a reduction in the size of the forest is a reduction in the strength of traditional indigenous culture (Kanungo, 2023). On the other hand, when looking into the drivers of deforestation, it is well documented that the private entities and organisations are being held responsible for their practices that is resulting in a reduction in the size of the forest. For example, in recent years, a grain trader business called Cargill is facing legal issues due to their violation of rights and lack of due diligence when using the ARF (Watts, 2023). To summarise, despite their being some justice in relation to holding organisations responsible for the depletion of the forest, there is very minimal work been done to ensure all stakeholders, particularly the ones whose residency resides in the rainforest, are accounted for and all needs are understood and met.
References:
Blackman, A. and Veit, P., 2018. d Amazon indigenous communities cut forest carbon emissions. Ecological Economics, 153, pp.56-67.
Carvalho, S., Oliveira, A., Pedersen, J.S., Manhice, H., Lisboa, F., Norguet, J., de Wit, F. and Santos, F.D., 2020. A changing Amazon rainforest: Historical trends and future projections under post-Paris climate scenarios. Global and Planetary Change, 195, p.103328.
Codato, D., Peroni, F. and De Marchi, M., 2024. The multiple injustice of fossil fuel territories in the Ecuadorian Amazon: Oil development, urban growth, and climate justice perspectives. Landscape and Urban Planning, 241, p.104899.
Griffin, R. 2023. Deep inside the Amazon, Indigenous leaders are fighting to preserve the rainforest and stabilize the climate. [Online]. [Accessed 5 Nov. 24]. Available from: https://vitalsigns.edf.org/photo-essay/deep-inside-amazon-indigenous-leaders-are-fighting-preserve-rainforest-and-stabilize
Gualinga, E.S. 2024. Investors Must Respect Indigenous Rights to Protect the Amazon. [Online]. [Accessed 5 Nov. 24]. Available from: https://amazonwatch.org/news/2024/0105-investors-must-respect-indigenous-rights-to-protect-the-amazon
Kanungo, A. 2023. The Silent Cry of the Forest: How Deforestation impacts Indigenous Communities. [Online]. [Accessed 6 Nov 24]. Available from: https://earth.org/the-silent-cry-of-the-forest-how-deforestation-impacts-indigenous-communities/#:~:text=Indigenous%20peoples%20lose%20access%20to,Forest%2Dassociated%20infectious%20diseases.
Portela, R. and Rademacher, I., 2001. A dynamic model of patterns of deforestation and their effect on the ability of the Brazilian Amazonia to provide ecosystem services. Ecological Modelling, 143(1-2), pp.115-146.
UN. 2022. In the Amazon Rainforest, an indigenous tribe fights for survival. [Online]. [Accessed 5 Nov. 24], Available from: https://www.ohchr.org/en/stories/2022/08/amazon-rainforest-indigenous-tribe-fights-survival#:~:text=Illegal%20mining%20is%20devastating%20to,livelihood%2C%20from%20food%20to%20medicines.
Watts, J. 2023. Grain trader Cargill faces legal challenge in US over Brazilian soya supply chain. [Online]. [Accessed 6 Nov 24]. Available from: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/may/04/cargill-faces-legal-challenge-us-over-brazilian-soya-supply-chain-deforestation