In order to expand agriculture and stimulate a sagging economy, the Brazilian government eased environmental laws which allowed large tracts of rainforest to be cut down or burned. In three to five sentences, construct a potential chain of consequences for what can happen as a result of this kind of deforestation. The chain does not have to be linear (i.e., five steps in a row), but can have several branches, one for each different potential consequence. Your chain should include at least four steps, including the original event.(4 points)
2 answers
As a result of the Brazilian government easing environmental laws, large tracts of rainforest are cut down or burned. Firstly, clearing rainforest leads to habitat loss and threatens the biodiversity of the region, potentially causing the extinction of numerous plant and animal species. Secondly, deforestation disrupts the water cycle, leading to decreased rainfall and increased soil erosion. This, in turn, reduces agricultural productivity and can lead to food shortages for local communities. Moreover, the loss of rainforest also contributes to climate change as the trees act as carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The release of carbon dioxide from deforestation contributes to global warming and exacerbates the effects of climate change such as more frequent extreme weather events.
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