Chico Mendes dedicated his life to saving many rainforest jungles in Brazil that are barely standing today. Mendes was initially a Brazilian rubber tapper, who organized a union of seringueiros, or rubber tree tappers in the National Council of Rubber Tappers to protest the cutting of the trees by the cattle ranchers. Chico Mendes demonstrated the positive impact one man can have on the environment, and proved how detrimental man can be in nature.
Chico Mendes Filho was born on December 15, 1944 in an impoverished town on the outskirts of Xapuri, Brazil. Mendes died one week after his 44th birthday; his death made international headlines. This led to the rise of environmental movements and support for the rubber tappers'. Chico’s death created an outburst of recognition not only throughout Brazil but internationally as well. This revolt triggered the hostility of local ranchers, which was the turning point for Brazil’s environmental policies.
During …show more content…
In 1999, the Acre state government established the Chico Mendes Law to provide subsidies for rubber tappers. The subsidies consisted of commodities or profit, and are distributed by the extractives associations. His work led to the establishment of Brazil’s extractive reserves which protect forest areas. Before Chico Mendes died, Brazil had replanted 2.5 million acres of forest that was destroyed. Rubber tapping is one of the many ways in which the resources of the Amazon are exploited without permanently harming the ecosystem. Providing subsidies to encourage local communities to engage in alternative industries is possible anywhere in the world. Mendes demonstrated to the union that rubber workers could position themselves as defenders of the rainforest. Chico Mendes proved the Amazonian Rainforest was high in value for natural and flourishing products such as oils, nuts, and
Chico Mendes Filho was born on December 15, 1944 in an impoverished town on the outskirts of Xapuri, Brazil. Mendes died one week after his 44th birthday; his death made international headlines. This led to the rise of environmental movements and support for the rubber tappers'. Chico’s death created an outburst of recognition not only throughout Brazil but internationally as well. This revolt triggered the hostility of local ranchers, which was the turning point for Brazil’s environmental policies.
During …show more content…
In 1999, the Acre state government established the Chico Mendes Law to provide subsidies for rubber tappers. The subsidies consisted of commodities or profit, and are distributed by the extractives associations. His work led to the establishment of Brazil’s extractive reserves which protect forest areas. Before Chico Mendes died, Brazil had replanted 2.5 million acres of forest that was destroyed. Rubber tapping is one of the many ways in which the resources of the Amazon are exploited without permanently harming the ecosystem. Providing subsidies to encourage local communities to engage in alternative industries is possible anywhere in the world. Mendes demonstrated to the union that rubber workers could position themselves as defenders of the rainforest. Chico Mendes proved the Amazonian Rainforest was high in value for natural and flourishing products such as oils, nuts, and