As Forest Fires Consume the Amazon, What are the Policy Implications of the Current “Environmental Crisis?”
In a remarkable development this summer, the world’s coldest region (Siberia) and wettest region (the Amazon rainforest), have been on fire for over a month. This is an extremely problematic development for the inhabitants of this planet, as the Amazon produces approximately 20% of the world’s oxygen according to some reports. There have also been reports of extended wildfires from California to Alaska in the US, along with the disappearance of Glaciers and Ice Caps in Iceland and Greenland.
Images of the Amazon Fire are visible even from Space. On the right, an image captured from a NASA satellite
Most of these extreme heat related weather incidents can be associated with “global warming,” which is the result of increased carbon dioxide gas emissions arising from the production of oil and gas resources. In a nutshell, Carbon Dioxide gas emissions released during the use and burning of oil related resources trap heat coming from the sun, in the earth's atmosphere. Heat reflecting off the earth’s surface is stopped from leaving the planet and reaching space by the Carbon emissions in the earth’s atmosphere, creating a “greenhouse” heating effect.
Plants and tree life, particularly in rainforests, reduce the effect of Carbon Dioxide by absorbing the Carbon Dioxide gas as part of their respiratory and energy producing process (for their sustenance). In turn, they release oxygen into the atmosphere, which is in the air we breathe, and which we need for our survival. Therefore, the global burning taking place this year is reason for significant alarm.
In the Amazon, one of the main reasons for the extended fires is illegal forest clearing activities, used for farming. This involves the creation of deliberate fires which have been set to clear land, and which have taken a life of their own due to weather conditions and drought.
Media and Government Response
Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro dismissed this latest data, arguing that it was the “season of the queimada”, when farmers use fire to clear land. “I used to be called Captain Chainsaw. Now I am Nero, setting the Amazon aflame,” he was quoted by Reuters as saying. Bolsonaro has been repeatedly criticised for his apparent lack of environmental concern and the lax enforcement to fight environmental crimes — deforestation in the Amazon soared under his far-right reign. (Source: Malta Today)
With the advent of modern day hyper nationalism, and Trump’s America first policies, along with Brexit politics, many nations have followed similar ideological paths. Brazil is no exception to this ideological wave, and unfortunately, the current government also maintains a nationalistic and hyper capitalist identity. In Brazil, the unfortunate side effect of this is a lack of regard for the implementation of environmental laws, and a blind eye to large logging companies churning up the environment for profits.
In addition, with Trump pulling out of the Paris Climate Accord, and an increase in global Oil and Gas production with the development of ‘Fracking,’ global government and media attention is being pulled away from the issues of the environment.
Western nations such as Canada, the US, and UK, do have laws on the books, however, this is not enough, in a situation that is a global problem. Most of the government and media focus is being turned to trade wars, protectionist policies (i.e. US-China trade war, UK exit from the EU), political policy and Human Rights(i.e. in areas such as Kashmir and Assam in India, and Western China). These are serious issues, which do require significant attention as well.
Furthermore, in the Gulf and MENA region-a major hub of oil and gas production- there are currently no significant policy initiatives to cater to the environmental effects of industrial development, Oil and Gas production and environmental damage. much of the natural environment is being impacted through real estate and industrial development, such as natural coral reefs in the Ocean, and areas of sparse vegetation in an environment which is already arid desert to begin with.There has been significant effort to introduce laws which regulate data protection, IT and other areas of commerce, however.
Therefore, it must be said, that on the whole, the global government and media response to this environmental crisis is quite limited. Given the political climate, it is unlikely to change anytime soon either. With more and more nations and communities taking isolationist and self-interested economic and social policy decisions, a global and unified solution to the climate problem may not take shape in time to curb the cycle of environmental destruction.
Legal and Policy Solutions in a Hypothetical World?
Any policy response to the environmental crisis will need to have a global element. This would have to be on the level of a multilateral arrangement. Unfortunately, organizations such as the United Nations are having minimal impact on global affairs, and therefore it would take a monumental effort to encourage nations to sign up, ratify and then effectively enforce such agreements.
The Paris Climate Accord, which requires nations to reduce Carbon Emissions in the coming years, may be a good attempt at such efforts. However, with the US pulling out of this agreement under Trump, it remains to be seen whether it will have any significant effect.
Policies can be used which require those harvesting and utilizing the environment, such as loggers, and even oil and gas producers, to in turn reinvest resources into environmental development. For example, tree planting initiatives are in effect in a number of nations where logging takes place. These require loggers to plant a certain number of trees for every tree they cut down. Enforcement of, and broader focus on such initiatives are a must, in the current environmental crisis. In addition, an increase in conservation efforts, and the implementation of “sustainable tourism” can help financially secure conservation efforts. For example, many countries in Africa take advantage of their natural environment to attract tourists and tours to nature reserve areas. With the right policy and regulatory steps, these efforts could make the conservation of land profitable. However, care would have to be taken against pollution and deterioration of conservation areas resulting from touristic use.
Unfortunately, a great deal of the policy focus will have to be on nations which are heavily reliant on environmental resources for their economic sustenance. Many developing nations, such as Brazil, India, or those in the MENA region, may hit back with the view that the “Western” world has done their fair share of environmental damage, without paying significantly for their consumption of the Earth’s resources. Much of this damage has also been at the expense of more recently industrialized nations, areas of the MENA region, South America and elsewhere. Therefore, any policy initiative impacting such nations will also need assistance and financial backing from “developed nations” which have enacted regulations only after achieving stability through the self-interested consumption of environmental resources. Such nations would have to include the United States, EU Countries, Canada, UK and other Western Democracies.
Consequences
There is no particular need to delve into the consequences of any failed environmental policy, as it is sufficient to simply state that without effective policy, we will all literally struggle to “breathe” in the future.
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