In my last post I wrote about how Brazil´s government has no interest in stopping the Amazon deforestation. So this week, that same government anounced a 17% raise in energy prices, while we´re living one of the worst drought in history. At the same time Greenpeace released a study that affirms that the deforestation is the main reason for the rain shortage.
But now I have to defend my country a little. A great part os this deforestation timber is bought illegaly by international companies from Europe, China or the USA, some of them called “Lemahieu” and “Omniplex”. In Europe this timber is sold to them by another company in Belgium, “Leary Forest Products”, on behalf of Brazilian sawmill and exporter “Rainbow Trading” as you can see here and here.
Greenpeace is, again, doing a fine job by tracking down this illegal timber and alerting authorities in european harbors about it. But all of us must act against forest criminals who profit from the destruction of Amazon and authorities shirk their responsibilities. Companies must be in full control of their supply chains and authorities must ensure this is happening. Until the Brazilian government brings the logging sector in the Amazon under control, buyers need to take responsibility for the wood they’re buying, making sure it’s been harvested legally and sustainably, or stop buying from high-risk regions like the Amazon.
It’s a hard task to control a big area like the Amazon, but you can help to put some pressure on the government and other authorities by signing this petition:
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Lust for Green 
Some years ago Global Reporter said that most of the wood is being consumed within Brazil–mostly in Sao Paulo. Economic growth of Brazil will demand more natural resources from within the country (food, therefore more clearing of forest for cattle and farms; wood, for more homes and the like). Can’t blame the other countries for buying if somebody is willing to sell their own natural resources. Sad to say, but it is a reality no matter where we live.
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Hi. Yes, it’s true that the biggest part of the amazon wood is being consumed inside Brazil, it’s a sad reality and I think about it every day! I already wrote about how our shameful government is doing absolutely nothing to stop it, and worse, it’s financing it. There is absolutly no control on our ports and it’s been all over the news this last few weeks. I don’t blame other countries, nor am I defending my shameful Brasil. My intention is to spread the word and make people discuss it and help to put pressure on companies that are buying and on the ones cutting the wood. Stay tuned, my next post is going to be about what I am doing, right next door, to change something.
Thank you for your comment.
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