Corruption in South American Powerhouse-Brazil

Craig Alden, and Englishman came to Brazil in the early 1990’s and established a sanctuary for children upon seeing the widespread poverty and struggles.

However, Craig was challenged by the local law authorities who were planning to use the sanctuary for housing drug dealers as well as a brothel. When Craig did not allow such to happen, the local law authorities put a charge of sexual abuse on him. Some children were lured into testifying against Craig, later on they revealed the truth.

In 2005, Craig was sentenced to serve in prison for almost half a century, the sentence was later reduced. Craig is still behind bars for something he did not do. Lets all join hands together to force out the truth.

Deforestation in South America - The Reasons

The South American Continent contains some of the world’s largest and lushest rain forests. species, Flora and fauna, which is Indigenous to the region, make up the largest percentage to be found anywhere on the planet. However, improper logging and deforestation and caused these natural beauties to diminish in size day after day.

The Reasons?

The prime reasons for the large scale deforestation in this region are generally people’s need for more fertile farm land, and the profitable business of timber. These reasons dominate everyday life of the population in South America because of increasing demand for food, timber and timber products as the world population increases each and everyday.

Increasing urbanization and size of settlements has also lead to more deforestation as demand for open land space increases. Presence of natural minerals and resources in the rain forest occupied areas also contribute to significant clearing up of “forested” areas. In most cases, the cut down logs are either left to decay, and the deforested area cleared of all leftovers by burning.

In short, the forests are viewed as a obstruction to the growth of civilzation and humanity rather than a valuable and important commodity.

Specific to countries

BRAZIL

In the largest and most industrialized country on the continent, Brazil, the number one causes for deforestation are cattle ranching and soybean farming. The largest area of the amazon rain forest naturally falls within the Brazilian borders, which is also the largest country in the region by land area. In fact, Brazil contains the largest area of rain forests mass of rain forest on the planet.

In spite of this, huge amounts of rain forest in Brazil has almost been lost due to grazing, urbanization and Soybean farming.

VENEZUELA

The leading causes of deforestation in the country of Venezuela has been mining for gold and diamond deposits, which are richly situated deep inside the rain forest areas. Once again, the forests are seen as more of a hindrance to the growth of the country’s economy rather than a asset to the natural beauty.

COLOMBIA

The most unique reason for deforestation in South America may be in the context of Colombia.
Being notorious for a safe heaven for drug lords, most of the rain forest area in this country is destroyed everyday to make room for growing cocaine, marijuana, opium, and other recreational drugs.

In most cases, the drug labs are situated in the heart of these rain forests, and areas are cleared off everyday without any obvious changes to the view of the outside world

Environmental Issues in South America

Argentina
Current Issues: erosion resulting from not enough flood controls and non-proper land use practices; irrigated soil degradation; desertification; uncontrolled air pollution in Buenos Aires and other towns and cities; water pollution; increased pesticide and fertilizer use

Natural Hazards: Subject to frequent earthquakes; violent windstorms that can strike the Pampas and northeast; flooding

Bolivia
Current Issues: the clearing of land for agriculture and commercial deforestation; overgrazing, poor cultivation methods and soil erosion; desertification; loss of biodiversity; and pollution

Natural Hazards: cold, thin air of high plateau causes inefficient fuel combustion, non-adjustment to high altitude pressure ; flooding

Brazil
Current Issues: deforestation ; air and water pollution in majority of town and cities; land degradation and water pollution.

Natural Hazards: frequent droughts in northeast; floods and occasional frost in the Southern Parts of the country

Chile
Current Issues: air and water pollution, untreated and raw sewage; deforestation and loss of biodiversity; soil erosion; desertification

Natural Hazards: severe and frequent earthquakes; volcanic activities; tsunami prone coatal regions

Colombia
Current Issues: deforestation; overuse of pesticides; air pollutionin the capital and other major cities, air pollution from vehicle emissions

Natural Hazards: frequent volcanic eruptions and earthquakes; periodic droughts

Ecuador
Current Issues: deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution in all major populated areas

Natural Hazards: earthquakes, landslides, volcanic activity; ever increasing frequency of droughts

Guyana
Current Issues: water pollution,  untreated and raw sewage,  agricultural and industrial chemicals dumped without treatment; vast areas of deforestation
Natural Hazards: flash floods, heavy downpours

Paraguay
Current Issues: deforestation; water pollution; waste disposal problems, health risks for many urban and rural residents

Natural Hazards: frequent flooding in rainy seasons and poor drainage causes plains to become boggy

Peru
Current Issues: deforestation; overgrazing, soil erosion; desertification; air pollution in all major cities and towns; pollution of rivers and  waters, irresponsible dumping of municipal and mining wastes

Natural Hazards: earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, landslides,  some volcanic activities time to time.

Suriname
Current Issues: deforestation due to commercialization of timber resources

Natural Hazards: Tropical flash floods

Uruguay
Current Issues: pollution frequently originating from Brazil;  acid rain generated in neighboring industrialized countries; water pollution; improper solid/hazardous waste disposal

Natural Hazards: seasonally high winds , frequent droughts, floods;

Venezuela
Current Issues: sewage pollution of major cities; oil and urban pollution ; deforestation; soil erosion; urban and industrial pollution

Natural Hazards: floods, land and rock slides, mud slides; droughts