Members RA1 Posted September 21, 2014 Members Posted September 21, 2014 I have long thought the deforestation of the rainforest in Brazil a tragic mistake. Not to deny mistakes made in the US and other countries but this huge rainforest I have thought to be a major CO2 scavenger for the whole planet. Therefore to eliminate it is a travesty being perpetrated upon all of humanity. But, of course, that is what is happening. In addition, somewhat similar to US Native Americans, the local Indians are being forced out to seek a livelihood other than their native villages and culture. Not easy. I do not know the solution but I invite our Brazilian posters and others who know Brazil to comment on this. Best regards, RA1 lookin 1 Quote
Members MsGuy Posted September 21, 2014 Members Posted September 21, 2014 The latest studies indicate that the Amazon rain forest is CO2 (& O2) neutral. Plants respire about as much CO2 & suck up as much O2 at night as they absorb/give off during daylight. Makes sense when you think about it...otherwise by now carbon compounds would be heaped up thousands of feet deep everywhere there's a rain forest. Turns out the real O2 contribution by the Amazon is in the flood of nutrients it pushes out into the South Atlantic. This causes an enormous plankton bloom that both liberates huge quantities of O2 and serves as one of the largest carbon sinks on the planet as the green stuff and the little critters that feed on it die and sink down to the abysmal ooze. Of course, chopping down the forest ='s a large release of carbon but that's a one off thing. Ain't science great? Quote
