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Introduction

Brazil’s Amazon rainforest comprises 30% of the world’s remaining tropical forests and, besides providing shelter to one tenth of the world’s plant and animal species, acts as a significant mechanism for removing excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. According to the World Bank, just one acre of Amazon rainforest sequesters about 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide annually.

In recent years, energy-related environmental problems, including oil spills, air pollution, flooding and deforestation have become a threat to Brazil’s biodiversity and delicate ecosystems.

Deforestation

One of the main issues that Brazil faces today is the destruction of forests in tropical areas. In recent years deforestation has been concentrated in this part of the developing world, which lost nearly 200 million hectares between 1980 and 1995. This loss was partially offset by reforestation efforts, new forest plantations, and the gradual regrowth and expansion of forested area in developed countries. The result was a net loss of some 180 million hectares between 1980 and 1995, or an average annual loss of 12 million hectares.

Tropical forest ecosystems feature a variety of unknown biological species. This biodiversity has given scientists a major research source and destroying any undescovered species, could prove detrimental to the scientific community. Even though tropical forests account for less than 7 percent of the terrestrial surface, they are home to half or more of all plant and animal species. Also, tropical deforestation is a major component of the carbon cycle. Deforestation increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and other gases, which affect the climate, and as a result, affect all plants and animals.

Poaching

While not responsible for deforestation, hunting and poaching cause damage to the rainforest ecosystem by removing species key to the system’s functioning. The loss of a certain single species can mean extinction for many others. The wildlife harvest takes a staggering number of animals: every year in the Brazilian Amazon region alone, between 9.6 and 23.5 million mammals, birds, and reptiles are harvested.

In Brazil, the collection of wild animals for the pet trade takes its toll on local animal populations. Amazon Reptiles are the fourth biggest commodity traded on the black market after drugs, diamonds, and weapons. Sadly, less than 10% of all animals exported illegally make it to their final destination – usually a small, dirty aquarium – alive.

Air Pollution

In São Paulo, Latin America’s second largest city (behind Mexico City), experiences the same problems that many other large cities face when the population grows faster than the infrastructure to support it. Traffic congestion and pollution are two major problems affecting São Paulo. So in 1999, the local government instituted a pollution control program, stating that motorists are restricted to driving on certain days of the week, based on the last digit on their license plates. However, according to an article by the Economist Intelligent Unit in October 2002, the strict regulations have done little to mitigate air pollution, mainly due to lack of enforcement.

Oil Spills

Over the years, oil spills have been a frequent occurrence in Brazil, causing severe environmental damage. Brazil’s state-owned oil company, Petrobrás, has become infamous for a series of embarrassing oil spills and accidents. Some of the worst spills have taken place in Guanabara Bay in Rio de Janeiro. Guanabara Bay has also been continually threatened by ships that dump their fuel tanks inside the bay, mostly because the local port lacks the necessary equipment for proper disposal.

Oil spills have not been isolated to offshore areas. The P-7 platform accident occurred on April 12 and spilled another 5,714 gallons of diesel into the Amazon basin.

Energy Consumption and Carbon Emissions

Brazil actually emits low levels of carbon dioxide in relation to its size and population. The energy demand caused by rapid growth and industrialization has been met mostly with increasing hydroelectric generation, while gasoline demand is held down by policies requiring a percentage of ethanol in the fuel mix.

Nuclear

Brazil presently has two operational nuclear power plants in Angra dos Reis (Angra I and Angra II). These facilities were responsible for approximately 1.7% of the country’s electric power generation in 2001. Construction had begun on Angra III, but political and economic factors have delayed its completion.