Brazil is considered the world’s fifth-largest country in terms of both area and population, covering 60% of South America’s land mass. However, due to its large size, it faces complex environmental architecture with several challenges. The country has large reserves of biodiversity and is home to the world’s largest rainforest, the Amazon. The Brazilian Amazon represents 60% of Brazil’s territory and extends to more than 5 million km2.
One of the biggest challenges the Amazon has experienced is extensive deforestation as a result of the expanding agricultural industry. Despite the importance of the Amazon, deforestation levels are reaching a point of irreversibility. In addition, the lack of protection such as the creation of a cycle of deforestation, drought, and loss of biodiversity is amplifying climate change and its impacts.
These increasing environmental concerns are causing social implications. Threats to forest areas are threatening marginalized groups, such as family farmers, and indigenous and traditional populations.