[extropy-chat] FWD [PvT] Terraforming Earth

[Technotranscendence]

On Friday, February 13, 2004 6:37 PM Brent Neal brentn at freeshell.org
wrote:
>> The stripped value of the land is the financial
>> disincentive against deforestation. Virtually
>> all deforestation occurs on public lands that
>> are leased by industry. Leasing eliminates
>> long term stewardship and negative price
>> signalling one deals with when one owns
>> the land and has to figure in future resale
>> value.
>
> Is that really the case when the land is more
> valuable to the natives as pastureland or
> farmland, a la the rainforest in the Amazonian
> basin? As far as I know, that land isn't "leased"
> from anyone. Your explanation makes sense in
> the US, with our laws and economy, but I don't
> think it generalizes well.

The Brazilian government actually subsidizes ranching and agriculture in
the Amazon basin and has been doing so for decades -- as well as pushing
the natives off their land and not recognizing any ownership rights to
it.  The Brazilian government also puts in lines of communication and
the like, reducing the costs even lower.  Absent that government
intervention abd recognize the natives' right to property in the region
then, chances are, there'd be a lot less farming and ranching in the
Amazon basin.

Later!

Dan
http://uweb.superlink.net/neptune/