Brazil farmers deforesting Amazon 'to survive'

[Judi Lynn]

Brazil farmers deforesting Amazon 'to survive'

BY CARLOS FABAL (AFP) 54 MINS AGO

On his block of land deep in the Amazon rainforest, Aurelio Andrade says deforestation is the only way he and other farmers can survive in the remote region where fires are raging.

"Here we have no support from the federal government or anyone else, only from God," Andrade tells AFP, wearing an army camouflage T-shirt and matching hat, on his property 120 kilometers (75 miles) from Porto Velho in the northwestern state of Rondonia.

"We cut trees to plant grass to survive, so that the cattle eat," says the portly Andrade, apparently oblivious to the growing global outcry over the worst fires in years.

Seen from above, the devastation around Andrade's land caused by fires and deforestation is dramatic.

More:
http://www.digitaljournal.com/news/world/brazil-farmers-deforesting-amazon-to-survive/article/556725



Aurelio Andrade and his dog


Amazon rainforest fires: an environmental catastrophe – in pictures

https://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2019/aug/27/amazon-rainforest-fires-an-environmental-catastrophe-in-pictures

[Duppers]

1. This is from a 2017 Avaaz petition:

"Brazil's leader is selling huge chunks of protected Amazon forest to corrupt businessmen in return for political favour. But we can stop it together -- if we help create an international scandal that sinks his already tanking national approval rating. 900,000 Brazilians have already signed on -- let's make this the largest campaign in history to save the Amazon!"