Tropical Rainforests and Destruction—The Facts About Beef

To understand the issue of tropical rainforests and destruction we have to look at the big picture, i.e. total forest destruction. According to current estimates, on an annual basis, 0.38 percent of the world’s forests were converted to other land uses during the 1990s. To partially offset this loss, large areas reverted to forest during this same time leaving a net deficit of 0.22 percent per year.[1] The world’s temperate-zone forests are actually expanding due to reforestation by affluent countries and reduced losses caused from fires and pests. The rate of tropical forest loss was 0.8 percent, with the greatest losses occurring in Africa and South America, though the greatest rate of loss occurred in Asia.[1] Since 1990 the rate of loss has been decreasing.

America had its own surge of tree-clearing in the late 19th century. We cut huge tracts of Eastern forest to fuel small pig-iron smelters. After the advent of coal-fired steel furnaces, virtually all of the forest was allowed to regrow. According to 1996 government statistics, we actually have 14 million more acres of forest land than we did in 1920.[2]

Causes of Tropical Rainforest Destruction

Severe forest fires were responsible for significant Amazon rainforest deforestation in the late 1990s. Among the primary man-made causes of world forest loss have been the need for wood, especially firewood,[3] along with home-building, land for food crops, and the existence of trade barriers. In addition, many nations have felt it important to populate their frontiers.

The Facts About Beef—U.S. Beef Consumption and Amazon Rainforest Deforestation

The facts about beef are simple, there is no relationship between U.S. beef consumption and Amazon rainforest deforestation; less than one percent of the total 2001 U.S. beef supply was imported from “rainforest countries” (South and Central America).[2] It is not necessary for cattle to graze deforested tropical land to meet U.S. beef consumption needs. Furthermore, the largest fast-food chains in the United States have long had policies against buying beef from rainforest countries.

Amazon Rainforest Deforestation | U.S. Beef Consumption
Tropical Deforestation | Causes of Rainforest Deforestation
Beef Production | Rainforest Deforestation to Raise Beef Cattle
Amazon Deforestation | Rainforest Preservation | Solutions to Rainforest Deforestation