Sustainable Cattle Ranching – The Key to Saving the Amazon
Introduction
Spanning eight countries in South America, the Amazon Rainforest covers over two million square miles, making it the largest rainforest on Earth with an area far larger than the entire European Union.1 Further demonstrating the massive scale of this ecosystem, the Amazon river and its tributaries, which flow through the rainforest, contain roughly twenty percent of the planet’s freshwater.2 In addition to its size, this ecosystem is densely populated with a diverse group of plant and animal species. In fact, despite only covering about four percent of the planet’s surface, the Amazon is home to a tenth of its known species.3
Unfortunately, this beautifully unique ecosystem is in critical danger of being completely destroyed. As global temperatures rise as a result of climate change, much of the Amazon rainforest will succumb to longer dry periods, forever changing the ecology of the landscape. In fact, if global temperatures rise by only four degrees Celsius, about half of the rainforest will disappear and transition into a dry savannah.4 Even though climate change is a critical issue in regards to the survival of the Amazon, it is pointless to address climate change before deforestation, the systematic clearing of tree growth in a large area, due to the Amazon’s special relationship with climate change.5 To elaborate, trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, making the Amazon rainforest the world’s largest “carbon sink.”6 By absorbing large amounts of carbon dioxide, an important greenhouse gas, the Amazon is an important source in slowing the effects of climate change. However, with the Amazon being destroyed through deforestation practices, the massive amounts of carbon dioxide previously absorbed by these trees is released back into the atmosphere. Thus, instead of slowing global warming, if deforestation practices aren’t stalled, the Amazon will begin contributing to global warming, further securing its grim fate.7 In fact, with this fragile relationship, the Amazon is considered to be approaching a “tipping point,” where it will be too late to stop its decline. With seventeen percent of the forest already destroyed from deforestation, scientists estimate that it will be impossible to save the rainforest if that number reaches between twenty to twenty five percent.8 Furthermore, if current rates of deforestation remain constant, this number will be exceeded as soon as 2030.9 With such little time for action, it is clear that change must occur immediately if there is any hope for the precious Amazon rainforest. One opportunity for reform is to implement strict laws in Amazonian countries that force cattle herders, the largest perpetrators of deforestation, to adopt sustainable practices that have less of an impact on the fragile ecosystem. To further explore this policy reform, the roots of deforestation must first be explored.
1). Comment on the title. How does it offer a way forward on the issue? Does it hint at or echo the paper’s thesis? Make suggestions.
I honestly love the contrast of cattle ranching and the Amazon in your title, and I think it makes your brief more intriguing. The title gets the point across pretty well.
2). Does this piece’s title and introduction respond to an exigence? Does it make the issue pressing or connect to other pressing needs and issues? Make suggestions.
I would say the introduction responds to an exigence more than the title does. You’ve clearly outlined how the Amazon is in danger of being destroyed and brought in the hot topic of climate change, which makes it relevant.
3). Comment on the thesis. Does it set up a clear argumentative claim? Is it advancing a specific policy or practice? Can you imagine how the rest of the argument will unfold?
I think you’ve set up a great thesis, but I would have liked to see a little more explanation of how cattle herding impacts the Amazon throughout the introduction prior to being introduced in the thesis. Personally, I would focus on how cattle herders in the U.S. affect the Amazon somehow and it would take away from your brief. Also, your thesis does outline what type of policy you will be pushing for.
Fantastic job! The title is perfect for your issue brief because it is clear, concise, and conveys your main idea. The exigence in your introductory paragraph is also strong. You express the relevancy of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest and the need to take action today. Your thesis statement clearly sets the stage for your issue brief, but the thought about “cattle herders” was kind of abrupt. Haven brought this up in her comment too, so I agree with her. I think you could fix this by either introducing the idea of cattle herders before your thesis, which is what Haven recommended, or make your thesis statement a little less detailed. For example, you could say, “Some opportunities for reform include implementing strict laws in Amazonian countries that target the largest perpetrators of deforestation and adopting sustainable practices that have less of an impact on the fragile ecosystem. To further explore this policy reform, the roots of deforestation must first be explored.” This thesis statement is just as strong as the original one and gives you plenty of flexibility, which would help you introduce your more specific idea about cattle herders in the subsequent paragraphs. I hope this makes sense! You’re off to a great start and keep up the good work!
I think you did a great job with this intro! The title is concise yet reflective of your issue. You separated your intro into paragraphs to help make your points more understandable. You also did a great job explaining the urgency of this topic! I also noticed how you mentioned a specific policy you want to reform which I don’t think you have brought up before, so I liked how we are getting a little more specific. It makes your thesis statement stronger in that it seems more plausible. My only criticism is what others have mentioned before me. You didn’t talk about cattle herders until the very end of your intro so it seemed a little awkward. I think you can fix this by making your statements about deforestation and climate change more concise and talk more about the relationship cattle herding has with it. Overall, I think your issue brief has a clear direction and your intro was great!