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A marmoset hangs off a tree on May 6, 2012, during the LPGA Brazil Cup at the Itanhanga Golf Club in Rio de Janeiro. Marmosets were among the animals surveyed in the study of eastern Brazilian forests published in PLOS One.
OSLO, Norway -- Animals living in patches of rainforest cut off from bigger expanses of jungle by farms, roads or towns are dying off faster than previously thought, according to an academic study published Tuesday.
"We uncovered a staggering rate of local extinctions," the British and Brazilian researchers wrote in the online science journal PLOS ONE.
They visited 196 fragments of what was once a giant, intact forest in eastern Brazil on the Atlantic coast, now broken up by decades of deforestation to make way for agriculture.
Each isolated forest patch, ranging from less than the size of a soccer field to more than 12,000 acres, had on average only four of 18 types of the mammals the experts surveyed, including howler monkeys and marmosets.
White-lipped peccaries, similar to pigs, "were completely wiped out and jaguars, lowland tapirs, woolly spider monkeys and giant anteaters were virtually extinct," the British and Brazilian scientists said of their findings.
'It's going to be wild': Brazilians party as focus shifts to Rio Olympics
'Bad news for conservation'
Normal estimates of declining wildlife numbers, based on the size of isolated forest fragments, predicted higher survival rates, it said. But they had underestimated continuing human pressures such as hunting and fires.
"This is bad news for conservation," Professor Carlos Peres, of Britain's University of East Anglia, told Reuters. Many animals had vanished even in what seemed big areas of forest with intact tree canopy, he said.
PhotoBlog: Brazil backslides on protecting the Amazon
The rate of species loss in the area studied -- the Atlantic Forest region which covers 95,000 square miles, the size of Britain or the state of Michigan, was likely to be mirrored in other countries such as Indonesia, Ghana or Madagascar, Peres said.
Mario Tama / Getty Images
The Belo Monte dam is among 60 Brazil plans to build in its Amazon region to help power its growing economy. But the vision also has its critics.
Plea for parks
The scientists urged better conservation.
In Brazil, animals survived best in five forest remnants that were protected as parks. "This paper is a very big positive endorsement of more protected areas," Peres said.
More Environment coverage on NBCNews.com
Measures to place an economic value on forests could help, he said. Peres gave the example of preserving forests as part of a fight against climate change.
Forests absorb carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas, as they grow and release it when they burn or rot. Between 12 and 20 percent of man-made greenhouse gas emissions, most of which come from burning fossil fuels, are caused by deforestation.
Complete World news coverage on NBCNews.com
Mario Tama / Getty Images
The Amazon rainforest has meant prosperous times for many in Brazil, but environmental and cultural disaster for others.
Almost 200 countries are looking into ways to protect forests through a U.N. program called REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation) that would put a price on carbon stored in trees in developing countries. One example would be to bring forests into carbon trading systems.
Peres said that "degradation" in U.N. jargon referred mainly to logging but should be expanded to cover threats to wildlife.
"My mission is to put wildlife and biodiversity into that second 'D' of REDD," he said.
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There are too many people on this planet.
Only a global thermonuclear war, asteroid impact, or unstoppable disease will solve that.
Or just good old fashioned starvation.
Too many people and not enough foresight. Through technology and responsible living, it's possible for this planet to sustain a very large population.... unfortunately, we are greedy and shortsighted, and most won't show a real interest in sustainability until it's too late.
I have always said that we will have to be dealing with our population and resource availability way before we have to worry about global warming caused by man. Inevitably we will multiply until the resources are depleted, just like a colony of bacteria. Bad times will come, nature will see to that.
It all starts with you doesn't it? If you truely feel that there are too many people, then do right by mother Earth and rid the planet of yourself.
x
Woody, that is unnecessary.
We have about 7 billion I think. We should not have more than about 3 billion. Too many of the wrong people are having kids.
Romney for one.
Don't worry about the planet it will recover once it has shed the pestilence on its back.
Yes too many people on this planet.. BTW - How many zeros in a Brazilian?
It didn't take long for the fascist idiots to crawl out of the woodwork. What about the Kennedy's, Jan?
Its hard to imagine ones self as a noxious viral infection but there you have it.
Most sensible people don't have more then a couple of children, but there are a lot of people out their that have no sense. China tries to deal with the problem and the rest of the world condemns them for it but at least their population is at a zerogrowth, the ME is populating like rodents, Africa and Latin America are having a boom as well, Its a cold thing to say but the truth is we desperately do need a spay and neuter program for about a century, that or nature will do something about it man will see to that, and it will start in the tropics if it hasn't already and spreed all over the planet. blame it on the Catholics, the Muslims and the people that just don't care, blame it on those people like 21& counting, Octomom and anyone with more then three kids, we should be taxing people on having more then two kids not giving them deductions, its stupid to pay them to add to the problem. I guess this garden is ready for a harvest of souls. bugs will rule.
At the very most, only replace yourself. That's why I advocate sterilization for anyone who wants to come to this country. There are not enough resources to support multiple birth families anymore. The planet has given us all She can, and we have trashed her gifts. The Christian Right can quote the Bible all they want, "be fruitful and multiply", etc. Times change, we are at critical mass, and this is no longer a viable instruction.
True, and Mother Nature has a way of dealing with that. The Great ??? of 20xx will be something my grandkids will read about in history class.
Brazil has done all but nothing to protect the Amazon, and much to destroy it.
They will get the Olympics though and pay for it by means of the exploited ecosystem.
We need to clear a lot of the land in Brazil. I have a group of investors and we plan to build a huge condo development down there (unless the commies give us too much static). Still, money lubes the skids.
Greg,
So true. Brazil bases too much of its economic growth on exploiting its natural resources. Not a sustainable economic model to be sure. That said, there are many Brazilans who would like something better than that. I wish them well.
like the Mississippi here in the USA.
We stopped exploiting our country so now we have to exploit others, you want clothes to ware, food to eat, wood for furniture, housing and various things including that guitar you drag to the go green demonstrations, yeahwe are all in on this, no one is innocent and if you stop buying then the worlds economy would collapse and $hit would really hit the fan so what do you propose, it would take a century to depopulate there is no time left we can't go on unless we move off this rock but we cant do that (just yet). maybe we can just keep microwaving the planet till it cooks you can't see it but those nasty microwaves are all over the planet screwing things up but ya gotta have that life supporting wireless communications or you will die, you have to fly cross country 4 times a year to visit a relative you don't even like and Obama cant sit still for more then a week without hopping on Air Force one and heading to a golf course with a whole air wing in support.since planned parenthood has been around every 13 year old is sexually active and having babies that will never have two parents, or a proper upbringing, celebs have to eat every meal in a different country and they tell you that your car pollutes to much, and they live in a 30 room house with a light bill that exceeds your monthly budget, I wonder how much lumber is in Al Gores mansions and how much mahogany and teak is in his house boat. the world is full of Hypocrites, I think I will just sit back and watch because no one can do a damn thing about it. its not just over population its the mentality of the human species. fat, lazy, wanting, parasites.
This is horrible news since the Amazonian rain-forest is the last great rain-forest on this planet. It's a tough nut to crack, since the people of Brazil have a right to grow their economy and they seem to be doing a fine job currently with their economy, however, they need to enforce better environmental regulations within their borders before they reach an ecological disaster tipping-point of no return.
Who knows what potential discoveries in medicine or other disciplines are still waiting to be discovered in the vast rain-forest.
We needed another study for that? I figured that out and I'm not a scientist. Save the money, just ask me and send me the money.
These countries better figure out quick that their economies depend on these natural resources. How many people will visit Brazil if the wildlife and forest dies out?, or is cut down? Not that many. The majority of their tourism is due to the natural beauty of the area, and its tropical setting.
A empty wasteland wont draw anything but flies.
Population control is impossible. I personally don't hope for a global disaster to quell a too large population but understand the potential is there.
As to exploited ecosystems, remember how ruthlessly we scoured the buffalo from our continent as an example of just how irresponsible our species can be.
Exploitation is part of who we are. In fact, all successful creatures exploit their habitat in some way or other.
Our best hope for a better future is that our ability to communicate continues to flourish. Better communication breaks down cultural barriers and allows for deeper understanding of each other and of the world we inhabit.
The loss of the rain forests of Brazil is ongoing. The very fact that we are reading about studies related to deforestation is proof the impact of rain forest loss is not being ignored. Hopefully, studies like the one cited here will provide the impetus for programs to sustain and perhaps even rehabilitate some areas of this ever shrinking global resource.
People fail to realize that the world as a whole isn't overpopulated regions are. Look at the areas with mass overpopulation such as Africa and the damage being done trying to support the population. The only thing the west is doing by throwing money and food at this region is prolonging the damage and allowing the population to increase. We need to start cutting aid to Africa (for example) and let nature take its course.
falconer33,
look up water usage in the United States. We have too many people here as well. I do agree that there is also too much density in certain areas of the country. Several cities are way too big.
Our big problem is we make the land do what it can't sustain. We plant crops on land not capable of sustaining it without major use of fertilizer or piping in water. We also build cities in deserts and areas not really suitable. We can do it, we have the technology and knowledge, but the sustainability is a problem. I need to study a breakdown of where the water goes before making a decision on our water use. I agree we use alot of water.
From what I found in a few minutes of looking is our water use is dropping.
http://cleantechnica.com/2009/11/06/us-water-use-declines-despite-30-population-increase/
http://www.nationalatlas.gov/mld/wu2000t.html
It shows 40% of water use is for agriculture. So.....
The severe impact from lost of rain forest on the entire planet is not acceptable In Brazil or any other region containing rain forest. Removing humans from any of these rain forest regions by any means possible must take place. NOW.
I agree with you 100%. Recommend removing humans by any means possible before anymore damage is done.
Raymond,
Rather than removing humans from rain forests by any means possible, how about we remove ignorance through education?
Your solution is not realistic. ALL of us exploit the world's resources just by living in it. We ARE part of the global ecosystem. Our impact here is NOT unnatural. We ARE intelligent enough to understand our impact. We conduct studies to better understand that impact and to develop strategies to limit it. That is the best we can do as a species that intends to provide an ever growing population with the resources it requires to keep people from needlessly suffering.
Balance is what we need in our approach to the world's resources. Some species will go extinct and I, along with most of the world will mourn their loss, but we are all inevitably responsible for the extinction(s).
It is best for each of us to do what we can to recycle, to reduce our impact on the world intelligently rather than to contemplate actions that are impossible to achieve without some type of massive catastrophe or wholesale slaughter of human kind.
sighber,
Education. We have tried this route over and over again world wide. We have exhausted all means possible. We are ready for the next step. It should have been taken along time ago.
By any means possible? Mass murder? Why don't all you idiots who advocate killing people to make room for the centipedes and snails be the first to volunteer to die?
jerryb-1604912, The very air you breath depends on something being done for now and the future. Your life and your children depends on it.
Scientist,
You could not be a real scientist and harbor such a dim view. Scientists are thinkers with bold minds and imagination. Your defeatist post isn't consistent with a scientific mind.
This isn't a fantasy game, this is real life with real people. Science will continue to deliver ever more advanced technologies to stave off global disaster. We will find our way off this planet and we WILL find other worlds to exploit. The ultimate goal as most rational minds see it, is to survive and thrive long enough to be able to expand our presence beyond this planet.
What became of ancient civilizations? Where did they disappear to? Perhaps they found a way! How can we walk amongst the gigantic stone creations of past civilizations and marvel that we could not re-produce them without considering the possibility that they left this world behind? Past civilizations possessed knowledge we do not have! Perhaps today will be the day a key discovery opens the door to interstellar travel for this iteration of human kind.
sighber, You been watching Star Trek to long. Get Real.
By any means possible? Mass murder? Why don't all you idiots who advocate killing people to make room for the centipedes and snails be the first to volunteer to die?
Yes, especially since they're probably Americans, who are known for their respect for the environment, and only consuming only what they need...
Raymond,
So, no hope for a better tomorrow? You've bought in to the gloom and doom? While Star Trek was pure fantasy it at least offered a vision that didn't include massive death for human kind. I prefer to embrace a vision of the future where our descendants continue to thrive, where discovery and innovation continue to take place.
You can have your defeatist view, your vision for a devastated planet is the very thing that will help bring it to fruition.
Instead of writing off human kinds future and waiting for what you believe is inevitable, why not get involved? Try to limit your impact on the planet by recycling, car-pooling, growing your own organic produce, the list of things each individual can do is nearly endless. The future of our species will be determined by our individual behavior.
There are always tradeoffs. Removing people from the Atlantic Forest would indeed help the wildlife, just as removing people from Texas would help the wildlife there. Do you see a potential problem? We will probably need some more creative solutions.
We are killing the rainforests of the world at a staggerring rate. We are killing the coral Reefs and water sources of the world at a staggerring rate. We are taking and transferring toxic liquids, gases and flammable rocks (oil, gas & coal) from the Earths's crust and mantle. And displacing them as heavy toxic gases in its atmosphere. We are literally tearing the natural canopy of Earth apart. And replacing it with walls of toxic plastics, resins, unnatural metals, gases, seedless and sterile biogenetically mutated plants. The problem is not too many people on the planet as described by several. It is what the people who control civilization on the planet are doing with technology and civilization. Modern civilization has made Earth into a ticking time Bomb! And I mean as measured in decades and not centuries or millennia.
The Earth is a live sentient heavenly being that is full of life forces that it oversees and manages. A virulent strain of modern man has tipped the balance of life on the Earth, way down a negative path, with extremely poor resource management. Modern man chases the evil phantom of paper currency, plastic wealth and materialistic garbage over the bounty the Earth naturally provides. If man did the opposite, he would always be naturally in balance with the earth and all of its populations of life.
Earth has a formidable defense system against virulent infestations such as modern man. And it has likely already deployed it. It is just slow moving and invisible until too late, by man's standard of time. But it is ruthless and definitive non the less. Just ask the last wave of polluters & defoilers; The Dinosaurs. I fear, Brazil is only one of many places that will ultimately suffer the consequences of our greed, avarice and mendacity.
The Earth will eventually create or attract a formidable predator to feast on man himself
I do not envy the children who have to grow up into this future world.
JohnnyB, very well said. The intensity of the depression that accompanies this scenario can be numbing. I’m just a freak who enjoys it when the electricity goes out, the ‘nut job’ who grows her own organic food, recycle as much as I can, but no matter what I do, there are a hundred thousand people around me who do nothing of the sort and just laugh at my type. All I can do is do my part, watch, and see what unfolds. I think you are right though, this cannot continue and for that, I am glad.
what exactly would you have us do?
there has to be some measure of work done. in the past it was barter, or work traded for work.
To live the way you talk about we would have to cut our population by a very large factor.
Great question subnormal! And if I had the answers I'd be rich or dead. But that doesn't make the situation analysis any less valid. Maybe Jesus had it right all along. When he advised the rich man to give everything he had away and follow him. In that parable you must consider modern man to be the rich one cursed with an overabundance of riches.
Ah, but we must have room for the farms to grow cattle for our Quarter Pounders. That's sarcasm, folks, not advocacy.
And that's stupidity folks, not rational thought. Maybe you should be the first to volunteer to commit suicide to make room for one more spider in the forest.
Yes, jerryb, answer sarcasm with hate. That's always so righteous.
Our human desire for MORE STUFF just isn't worth the environmental damage we are doing to the planet. Instead of trying to grow their economy, the people of Brazil should be thinking about how to shrink their population and stop exports of their natural resources.
It is interesting to read comments condemning human kind for their impact on the world, for their never ending quest for more "stuff". Keep in mind, we are all sitting in front of desks that likely are made of some type of wood product (deforestation) probably contain certain resins and plastics (Petroleum products) AND we are typing these words on plastic keyboards, while staring at LCD monitors that are connected to computers, that are plugged into outlets that are connected to electrical grids, that get some of their power from coal fired generation plants, dams on rivers, or nuclear, or wind farms, or solar panels.
We cannot exist without the "stuff". Do you seriously propose we live as ancient tribes lived? That we find some way to exist in a symbiotic state with every organism on the planet?
If you are serious I implore you to throw away your computers, disconnect your home from the grid, in fact, turn your backs on any and all of the technological advancements human kind has achieved over the course of its history here, plant some seeds, get a rock, go hunting, skin the animals you kill for clothes, erect skin covered wooden frames for shelter, rub two sticks together until your hands bleed so you can cook your food, stay warm and hold off predators!
Seems that these actions are still having a negative impact on the world...what to do now?
Think of the health of the planet as an interest bearing savings account. We need to live in a manner that maintains the initial balance. As it is, our planetary "savings account" is severely overdrawn. Because we are such bad stewards, our gift of caretakers of the planet will be taken away. Nature demands it, and we deserve it.
Let's try to understand this: Someone in Norway says that somebody in Britain says that the wildlife in Brazil is disappearing? Let's hurry and get started euthanizing all the people in Brazil so the nasty little monkeys and spiders can be fruitful and multiply. Everyone knows they are more important than the lowly homo sapiens species. Maybe we should ask for volunteers to go to the Soylent Green factory so the po' little "animals" can have more fun screwing, pooping, and killing each other.
A third world country to manage some of the Earth's most valuable resources ? Is this a surprise? No - - - the Brazilian government is an ignorant, backward, corrupt body, and control should be wrestled away from them and given to a responsible, international entity.
As opposed to Exxon Valdez, BP Gulf spills and Fracking in Texas... Cause that is the "Developed way" of doing it???
You can't point a finger at anyone when your Brazilian Cherry-wood cabinets and floor boards look great with your Brazilian Rosewood Guitar just hanging on the wall right next to them...
Just like any other market, where there's a buyer, there's a seller... The only difference is that only the seller is held up to some kind of "integrity" value.
The Buyer is not the victim, not the innocent and definitely, not the naive end in this vicious circle, he's the cancer... He knows he is... But then again, why care if you can place blame???
And this comes as some kind of surprise? What the hell would you expect? Material wealth is an illusion. Real wealth and security is in an abundant and diverse ecology. The planet would get along just fine if it didn't have the human race mucking everything up. We had our chance and we blew it. We really blew it.
People will visit Brazil to sit on Copacabana Beach, Ipanama Beach or Macae and watch the women in bathing suits, and then if they get the opportunity they will visit the Amazon River.
We talk about the 'People of Brazil should be thinking'...thinking of what? That the US has destroyed all its natural landscapes, so the 'People of Brazil' don't have a right to do what they wish with its own country? Why is it that the US needs to tell EVERY nation on this planet what they 'SHOULD BE DOING'? Are we such great examples? Look at history and what the US has done to help the environment all over the world (nuclear bombs, oil waste, deforesting, defoliants, etc.). Brazil is now rich in oil, and will be much richer that the US in the next two decades. They keep the wealth by imposing a 65% Brazilian content on project being worked in Brazil (very smart VS outsourcing EVERYTHING). The US is in decline and we had better get used to being told 'what to do' by emerging nations.
China said 'the US polluted mush of its country during the Industrial Revolution, etc....now it's 'our turn', as we are in our 'Industrial Revolution'.
The U.S. invested billions in the education, research and design of pollution controlls. That is not including the investments made in building the controlls. They have already did the homework and other countries only have to copy it. Most of Europe went through the same process. So screw that ignorant logic.
Brazil will destroy the rainforest and follow the lead of the United States by turning every square inch of land into office buildings, shopping centers and apartment complexes. They may preserve 50 acres for a park, just to show how humane they are.
But then.. show me one country south of the border that gives a ratsass about the environment?
cactuscat: Perhaps Chile? But I agree.
Gee, I wonder how much Rain Forest was cleared so they could grow sugar cane to allow for nice clean ethanol?
Actually, the bulk of sugar cane production is grown in the states of Sao Paulo, Minas and Goias...
The amazon region is mainly used for Soy farming... So... Nice clean ethanol is not the impact here... And Yes... Ethanol is cleaner than Gasoline and renewable... Go figure... The ignorant brown people of the south got one right... Who would have thunk?
Another big reason as to why the amazon is massively destroyed is the ILLEGAL extraction of Cherry-wood and Rosewood... Any of those sound familiar at your local Home Depot??? Perhaps at Guitar Center???
If you're against drugs and prostitution and get caught doing blow in a cheap motel room with a meth tweaking hooker are you a hypocrite??? or just a victim???
Think about it. :)
Tiago
You need to research, ethanol actually makes a larger carbon footprint than regular gasoline. It is still a petroleum distillate so still has a high CO & CO2 emission, problem is it takes over twice the product to burn to gain the same horsepower (this is why large trucks cant use methanol and ethanol). Worse yet the farming and refining has a much higher cost and uses much more energy to refine than just pulling oil out of the ground. The studies have been done and the assumptions about ethanol have been proven false. You will only see it as an additive to regular fuels because of contracts signed in the 80s to guarantee profits to refineries to make the stuff (when they thought it was greener).
K. Truant
My family actually owns a self sustained ethanol refinery in Sao Pedro, SP. So we can argue back and forth here all day.
Depending on water fall, our sugar cane does not require replanting for an average of 5 to 7 years, Meaning, It regrows without requiring us to burn the fields. The same plant yields 8 to 14 crops per year.
The process of ethanol extraction and fermentation is powered by the cane's carcass being burned for fuel. Fermentation is done by addition of Yeast
Our exhaust system hydrolyzes emissions and then filters the water with the by product being used as an organic fertilizer.
Is it 100% clean... NO It is NOT... Is it cleaner then Gasoline??? YES... During production the CO2 is consumed by the growing crop at a 86 to 90% rate, in your car's tank, by an average of 60% in C02 emissions.
The United Nations had this to say about Sugarcane Ethanol : "in some circumstances does better than just "zero emission." If grown and processed correctly, it has negative emission, pulling CO2 out of the atmosphere, rather than adding it."
It's important to remember that no all bio-fuels are the same and Corn Ethanol has a completely different level on impact that Sugarcane.
Deforestation, global warming, the brutality of mankind, and the situation in the Middle East suggest that humanity is on the fast path to self-destruction. Better get that colony on the moon up and running.
Why doesn't Brazil just make a bunch of laws, and enforce said laws, that would make it impossible for anyone to cut down any more of the forest? If they really cared about the forest they could do this, but in reality they really don't care about it that much.
Because they are human, and they have the same problems we do. They have mouths to feed, and they have greed and corruption. They have millons of people with millions of different agendas. It i s never that easy.
It'll never stop...and no one at the higher levels seems to want to do anything about it.
Go back and watch the intro to Soylent Green and the movie Silent Running. It was science FICTION in 1974...so very tragic.
Wildlife needs to get used to the idea that people are now in charge. Unfortunately, because the people also need to live, eat and have a home, the animals will suffer. Also unfortunately, the conservationists -- who don't need to eke out a living in the jungle, but have nice houses in Washington DC, funded by government grants and corruption -- don't care about the people, just the animals.
Most conservationists do care about the people, and more so all the time. International conservation these days is mostly about sustainable development and creative solutions that include people.
The Olympic Games will indirectly speed this up!
i hadn't thought of this. This ain't going to be pretty. I wish Brazil hadn't gotten the Olympics ugh
Depressing Headline
100% agreed.
Sad that money is more important than life.
Progressives suggest 3 solutions to every problem, despite the fact that none ofthem work: Education, discussion, higher taxes. I am thrilled to be old and to have been able to enjoy this once lovely planet and the once great America. No problem if the world ends badly and today.
Old and alone perhaps?
That isn't the attitude of someone that has family. Hope you don't mind your grave being desecrated though. We are going to need that land soon...
My wife, children and grandchildren will have me creameted and my ashes spread in Beirut so I can be near my brother who gave his life for this country trying to help the despicable Palestinians.
Jeff, rather than complaining about political opponents, perhaps you could help us come up with solutions that DO work.
No problem if the world ends badly and today.....
My wife, children and grandchildren will have me creameted and my ashes spread in Beirut so I can be near my brother who gave his life for this country trying to help the despicable Palestinians.
So it is okay with you that your loved ones will live to see the decline of the world? I'd think you'd be sad for your grandchildren.
They may show the same regard for your last wish that you showed about their welfare...
Well, environmentalists wanted their ethanol farms. Congratulations. Brazil needed the space to grow sugar cane to turn into fuel and then ship thousands of miles by huge diesel powered ships to Europe.
Where did the environmentalists think this space to grow all this extra sugar cane was going to come from?
Correct. And people are being driven off of their land in other countries so that businesses (all under the liberal green banner) can grow crops for biofuel.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jul/02/biofuels-land-grab-kenya-delta
http://www.treehugger.com/renewable-energy/thousands-indigenous-farmers-chased-their-land-biofuels-companies.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7072386.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8084735.stm
The Atlantic Forest was being destroyed long before biofuels became important, and it would be in jeopardy no matter what crop was currently marketable. Yes, we know biofuels have negative consequences, just like every other energy source in existence. The solution is not to look for excuses to attack your political opponents or people who actually care about their environement, but rather to have intelligent discussions about solutions.