Facts lost in deep dark jungle of rainforest issue

In an emotionally-charged topic like the rainforest, getting to the truth can prove almost as hard as finding the glittering city of the ancient Golden King

January 1, 2003

In the mysterious jungle known as the Amazon, legend had it
there lived a Golden King named El Dorado said to be so rich that
each day he used gold dust to adorn his royal body. For Gonzalo
Pizarro, brother of the famous conqueror of the Incas, this vision
was more than he could bear. So in 1540, setting off with 4,000
Indians, 200 horses, 3,000 swine, and packs of hunting dogs,
Pizarro breached the Eastern edge of the great jungle and began his
quest to find and pillage El Dorado and his land of the cinnamon
forests.
     Pizarro, of course, never did find the Golden King. And after
throwing countless numbers of the hapless tribesmen he came across
to the ravenous hounds or roasting them on barbacoa when they
denied knowledge of the mythical city, he was forced to return to
Quito, Peru a beaten man. He had not found treasure in the Amazon.
     Since that time, there have been many others who have
descended into the Emerald Forest. But perhaps content with a
vision a bit less grandiose, these enterprising souls have found
riches abundant in the magnificent natural bounty of this exotic
land.
     In the Amazon rainforest, some of the richest ore bodies in
the world have been discovered. Highly-prized woods such as teak,
mahogany, and rosewood can also be found. Over the years, the
unique vegetation and growing conditions of the region has produced
a virtual pantry of sought-after goods ranging from medicines and
spices to a host of distinctively tropical products like rubber,
coffee, chocolate, and chewing gum. And this does not even mention
the ecological cornucopia hidden beneath the dense green canopy of
tropical rainforests which are home to more than two-thirds of the
1.4 million species known to man.
     So yes, the Amazon does indeed hold a rich bounty. But it is
certainly not the extent of its wealth alone that has recently made
the word "rainforest" a common term heard in schoolyards, living
rooms, and legislative halls around the world. Rather, it is
pictures of the charred remains of once lush jungles and numbers
likened to one football field per second that have made the
rainforest, and the Amazon in particular, a topic of international
concern.
     Some environmentalists claim that with current rates of
destruction, tropical rainforests will all soon be gone, that
nearly half the species on planet earth will all soon be
extinguished, and that these areas must basically be put off limits
to all but a few tribesmen if we are to have any hope of saving
what they would call this Eden-like paradise. But in an
emotionally-charged issue like the rainforest, getting to the truth
can prove almost as hard as finding the glittering city of the
ancient Golden King.

Football fields or not even enough
for a first down?
     "With the simple ax, the mighty chainsaw, and all-
     powerful fire...each year 28 million acres of tropical
     forest are destroyed...for crop production, fuelwood
     gathering, and cattle ranching. Commercial timber
     harvesting degrades at least an additional 11 million."
     Sandra Postel, Worldwatch Institute

     So is it 40 million acres per year as Postel suggests? Well
that's the number commonly bandied about, but some
environmentalists use slightly lower figures. The World Resources
Institute says, "Every year, at least 27 million acres of tropical
forests are lost -- an area the size of Pennsylvania, Ohio, or
Virginia." Others say more.
     Vice President Al Gore claims 51 million acres per year are
lost. And one of the largest Green groups on this issue, the
Rainforest Action Network, says the number is 78 million acres per
year, or an area larger than all of Poland.
     Where do they get these figures?
     It turns out the central basis for the 40 million acres figure
comes from a Brazilian scientist who used a U.S. weather satellite
to count the number of fires burning in the Amazon at any one time
in 1988 (at the height of government-subsidized deforestation),
haphazardly guessed at the size of each, and then simply doubled
the number to come up with his worldwide total.
     However, according to the Heartland Institute, when two
American researchers took a more studious look in 1993,
painstakingly comparing overhead photos from 1978 and 1988 and
entering into a computer every tiny forest clearing, road, and
power-line right of way, they concluded the average annual rate of
loss was just 3.7 million acres, making the global rate just over
7 million, or one-fifth the widely accepted number.
     In gridiron terms, this means that if all the world's
rainforests equalled one football field, even at the "rapid"
destruction rate of the late 1980's (which many experts say won't
continue since government subsidies have all but ended and there's
currently no way to get into the deeper interior), we would lose
less than 3.6 inches per year, and it would take more than 500
years just to make it past midfield.
     So it's little wonder that even the usually pessimistic
Worldwatch Institute went on the record as saying, "With nearly 90%
of its groves still standing...the Brazilian Amazon is relatively
untouched."

Island hopping
     One cannot paddle his raft very far into a discussion about
rainforest loss without talking about the catastrophe this is
alleged to be having on the world's species. Environmental biologist Edward
O. Wilson claims as many as 50,000 species are being lost each year
and the widely-quoted Norman Myers maintains the world could "lose
one-quarter of all species by the year 2000." But again the
question must be asked, where do they get these figures?
     Myers himself openly admits "we have no way of knowing the
actual current rate of extinction in tropical forests, nor can we
even make an accurate guess."
     So what the alarmed scientists do offer are merely predictions based
on a mathematical theory called the "species-area curve." This
theory, linked to the study of isolated islands, says that for
every 90% loss in area, the number of species that can live there
is cut in half. The one little problem with this, though, is that
the real world has hardly operated according to the theory.
     To state the obvious, islands and continents have enormous
differences. While islands are surrounded by water which is
usually pretty hostile to land species, terrestrial habitats are
surrounded by land, which can accommodate migrating species just a
bit more easily.
     No doubt this is why only three forest birds went extinct in
300 years in America, even though the virgin woodlands of the
eastern U.S. were hacked down to just a fraction of their original
area during that time (and for two of the birds, habitat loss
didn't even play a major role).
     It's also the likely reason a team of zoologists that combed
the Atlantic coastal forests of Brazil could not confirm a single
case of extinction, even though those forests have been cut to
about 12% of their original size.
     And even on the island of Puerto Rico where human activity
reduced the area of primary forest by 99%, the theory didn't hold
true since only seven birds became extinct and the total number of
species actually increased from 60 at the time of Columbus to 97
today.

The new iron curtain
     "If people are to have better jobs and make enough
     money so that they may have better homes and food and
     clothes, Brazil must develop her resources and expand her
     industries. Areas like the Amazon Valley, and much of
     the interior, must be fully explored."
     From the 1961 book, "Let's Visit Brazil"

     Throughout most of the human experience, the idea of
developing the natural resources of a land and thereby improving
the lives of its people was not even a point of debate. Today,
however, instead of looking to a place like the rainforest to see
how it can wisely be used to benefit mankind, the prevailing
thought is to basically put an iron gate around the whole thing
with a big "Keep Out" sign clearly posted.
     Most assuredly, the grossly exaggerated numbers concerning
deforestation rates and its threat to species have been used to
lend credence to this notion. But some advocates have sought to
further bolster a "hands-off" agenda by painting the rainforest
as an ancient natural paradise, virtually untouched and unspotted
by human hands until recent times, and as expressed in one Sierra
Club book, as a "fragile, non-renewable resource." Disturb it,
they say, and it's simply gone forever.
     In reality, according to leading expert Dr. Nigel Smith of the
University of Florida, "One of the most persistent myths about
Amazonia is that it has long been a wilderness, virtually untouched
by humans until relatively recently." He points to evidence
showing populations of between one and seven million in Amazonia
around A.D. 1500 and concludes, "in spite of the development push
that began in the 1960's, it seems unlikely that the area cleared
today is any larger than it was in 1500."
     Since its often hard to find even remnants of these lost
tribes beneath the thick broad leaves of the Amazonian jungle, the
rainforest is apparently more resilient than many would think.
     Does this mean we should go in with bulldozers, axes, and
fires ablazing? Obviously not. Tropical rainforests are certainly
a valuable ecological entity. But just as the U.S. and Europe have
been allowed to use significant portions of their land to meet the
needs of their people, so too must developing nations like Brazil
be given that same opportunity. For in the end, with the
environmental conservation that comes with increased wealth, this
will likely prove what's best for both man and nature.

November, 1996

CFACT

CFACT defends the environment and human welfare through facts, news, and analysis.

Filed under: Biodiversity

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{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

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{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

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In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

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In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

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{ from Socialists and Communists march to support global warming agenda }

...

{ from Lord Monckton on Climategate: Whistle Blower not }

The UN is running a bland, mediocre trade-show...

{ from Knute suit }

The developing world is told to make sacrifices to save the planet...

{ from CFACT's Morano debates UN climate treaty on Britain's Sky News }

CFACT releases short new video challenging scientific "consensus" on climate change...

{ from All Pain No Gain Video: Inconvenient Science }

Craig Rucker's "Copenhagen Insider" blog from National Journal...

{ from A different kind of red and green this Yuletide }

Prominent group of climate protesters shows some interesting colors at Copenhagen rally...

{ from Socialists and Communists march to support global warming agenda }

Craig Rucker's "Copenhagen Insider" blog from National Journal...

{ from A different kind of red and green this Yuletide }

The UN is running a bland, mediocre trade-show...

{ from Knute suit }

CFACT releases short new video challenging scientific "consensus" on climate change...

{ from All Pain No Gain Video: Inconvenient Science }

Craig Rucker's "Copenhagen Insider" blog from National Journal...

{ from A different kind of red and green this Yuletide }

The reality behind the mythology of Cap and Trade...

{ from All pain, no gain }

The proponents of global warming talk emotion and anecodote, while the realists talk facts, figures, measurements, history and scientific analysis...

{ from National Journal: Clash between the Guardian and science }

Leading newspaper features story on CFACT scientific conference at U.N. meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark...

{ from New York Times carries CFACT's 'Climate Sense' Conference }

CFACT's delegation arived in Copenhagen, Denmark to educate delegates and media from around the world that the climate change treaty is All Pain No Gain....

{ from CFACT arrives in Copenhagen }

Al Gore's claim to have a scientific consensus in support of global warming is confronted by protesters from CFACT's own Collegians for a Constructive Tomorrow....

{ from CFACT Collegians organize protest against appearance by Al Gore }

Lord Christopher Monckton debunks climate fears in Copenhagen...

{ from Monckton names names on Climategate }

Dr. Singer says global warming made up by man, not man-made...

{ from Is global warming from man? }

Prominent group of climate protesters shows some interesting colors at Copenhagen rally...

{ from Socialists and Communists march to support global warming agenda }

Are we really losing one football field every minute?...

{ from The clear-cutting facts about the rainforest }

The developing world is told to make sacrifices to save the planet...

{ from CFACT's Morano debates UN climate treaty on Britain's Sky News }

CFACT's delegation arived in Copenhagen, Denmark to educate delegates and media from around the world that the climate change treaty is All Pain No Gain....

{ from CFACT arrives in Copenhagen }

Singer, Morner, Plimer headline all-star science cast...

{ from CFACT sponsors climate science conference: The debate is not over }

Facts challenge organic's benefits over modern agriculture...

{ from Are organic foods really better? }

The proponents of global warming talk emotion and anecodote, while the realists talk facts, figures, measurements, history and scientific analysis...

{ from National Journal: Clash between the Guardian and science }

CFACT's delegation arived in Copenhagen, Denmark to educate delegates and media from around the world that the climate change treaty is All Pain No Gain....

{ from CFACT arrives in Copenhagen }

Dr. Singer says global warming made up by man, not man-made...

{ from Is global warming from man? }

If an herbicide, that can drastically improve farming, has proven to be safe for not only the animals in the environment, but also humans, it should be used, right? Not according to the EPA....

{ from Is government standing in the way of lower food costs? }

The future of the bay looks bright: stewardship at its best....

{ from Science to save the Chesapeake Bay }

International efforts to ban chicken coops harms birds, farmers...

{ from In praise of cages for egg laying hens }

How do you turn something as plentiful as grass into food? Feed it to cows and have a B.B.Q.! U.S. meat production per acre has doubled since 1970, largely due to pesticides, veterinary chemistry, and better plant breeding...

{ from Giving up meat to Save the Planet? }

The future of the bay looks bright: stewardship at its best....

{ from Science to save the Chesapeake Bay }

{ from Giving up meat to Save the Planet? }

International efforts to ban chicken coops harms birds, farmers...

{ from In praise of cages for egg laying hens }

Scientific "consensus" and other shady sales tactics promote alarmist theories...

{ from Global warming bait-and-switch }

Scientific "consensus" and other shady sales tactics promote alarmist theories...

{ from Global warming bait-and-switch }

Three California counties reject measures to ban the use of GM crops...

{ from Voters voice support for biotech farming }

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Eco-terrorism hits Maryland: 'Inconvenient Terrorist' latest in long line
Inconvenient terrorist James Lee who was shot and killed by a SWAT team in the Discovery Channel Building in Silver Spring, Maryland, is the latest of a long line of eco-terrorists
An Inconvenient Terrorist
Armed eco-terrorist who experienced an “awakening” by watching Al Gore's Inconvenient Truth was shot and killed after storming Discovery Channel Building. Radical manifesto condemns 'parasitic children' and human civilization, calling for sterilization and giving the planet back to the squirrels.
An ill wind in New Jersey
Proposed windmill would cost $7 million, stand taller than the Statue of Liberty, and when the wind isn't blowing would need to be kept turning with electricity from a traditional plant in order to avoid mechanical failure.
End environmental experiments on Africans!
Environmentalists are using African parents and children in anti-DDT experiments. They are playing with our lives. So are the government agencies and others who support their policies. This is wrong and immoral. And it is only one of the ways they use Africans as experimental laboratory animals.
Prepare for an ice age!
"Little ice ages" are the flip side of the 1500-year warming cycle. We should take advantage of the favorable climate we are currently enjoying to increase research on high-yield agriculture, biotechnology, water conservation and other advances now only dreamt of.
Howard Stern: 'Bring back DDT!'
Stern argues that New York's bedbug problem is nothing compared to the millions dying from malaria in Africa, quoting extensively from an article by CFACT's Paul Driessen.
New York's bedbugs vs. Africa's malaria crisis
Our obsession with pesticide “risks” has very different consequences for America and Africa.
How to save the Chesapeake Bay: Oysters vs. Regulations
Oysters kept the Bay clean in the past, but the EPA is ignoring this proven solution in favor of big government regulations.
New ethanol policy poses heavy cost for consumers
E15 ethanol mandates would bring huge benefits for ethanol producers at the expense of the rest of us.
Empowering the poor in the Yucatan jungle
Local villagers struggle to survive in Becan, but a new program promises to bring prosperity by unleashing their creativity and energy.
The global warming fleecing of the American taxpayer
The federal government has spent tens of billions of taxpayer dollars on research that has completely failed to affect temperatures or demonstrate an empirical link between human CO2 emissions and global warming.
Target: Monckton
Lord Monckton is under attack, a sure sign that he’s winning on warming. Monckton fights back and refutes Prof. Abraham.
New coal mine approved in Utah
In a victory for the nation’s beleaguered resources industry, Utah officials have approved a permit for a coal mine in their state.
EPA set to crack down on farm dust
Agency believes dust is a pollutant and wants to impose stringent limitations on the amount of dust farmers are allowed to kick up while plying their trade.
Climate Depot’s award hat trick
Marc Morano receives another award for his journalism covering the global warming movement.
Climate proposals threaten pursuit of happiness and justice
New study documents harmful effects of “cap-and-trade” and “endangerment” schemes.

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