RESUMEN
There is a new phenomenon in the global arena: environmental refugees. These are people who can no longer gain a secure livelihood in their homelands because of drought, soil erosion, desertification, deforestation and other environmental problems, together with the associated problems of population pressures and profound poverty. In their desperation, these people feel they have no alternative but to seek sanctuary elsewhere, however hazardous the attempt. Not all of them have fled their countries, many being internally displaced. But all have abandoned their homelands on a semi-permanent if not permanent basis, with little hope of a foreseeable return. In 1995, environmental refugees totalled at least 25 million people, compared with 27 million traditional refugees (people fleeing political oppression, religious persecution and ethnic troubles). The total number of environmental refugees could well double by the year 2010, and increase steadily for a good while thereafter as growing numbers of impoverished people press ever harder on overloaded environments. When global warming takes hold, there could be as many as 200 million people overtaken by sea-level rise and coastal flooding, by disruptions of monsoon systems and other rainfall regimes, and by droughts of unprecedented severity and duration.
Asunto(s)
Desastres , Emigración e Inmigración/tendencias , Ambiente , Haití , Dinámica Poblacional , Política Pública , RefugiadosRESUMEN
Abstract Information on depletion of tropical moist forests throughout the world is reviewed, including its causes, course and consequences in Latin America, Africa and Southeast Asia. Primary, or undisturbed, forest under goes varying degrees of perturbation depending on exploitation practices. Timber exploitation has been particularly important in Southeast Asia. Slash-and-burn agriculture often follows due to improved access. Shifting cultivation is especially important in Africa, where high population pressure makes the access roads opened for logging an even stronger catalyst to entrance of slash-and-burn farmers. Cattle raising is a major cause in Latin America, often influenced by foreign market pressures and government policies.
Resumo Informações sobre a depleção das florestas úmidas tropicais no mundo são revisadas, inclusive das suas causas, tendências e conseqüências na América Latina, África e Suleste da Ásia. Floresta primária, ou seja não perturbada, sofre diferentes graus de mudança dependendo das práticas de exploração. Exploração de madeira tem sido particularmente importante no Suleste da Asia. Agricultura itinerante muitas vezes segue devido ao acesso melhorado. Agricultura migratória é especialmente importante na Africa, onde pressão populacional alta faz com que estradas de acesso abertas para a retirada da madeira se tornam um catalisador ainda mais forte, levando à entrada de agricultores itinerantes. Pecuária é uma causa principal na América Latina, muitas vezes influenciada por pressões de mercados estrangeiros e por políticas governamentais.
RESUMEN
Abstract Information on depletion of tropical moist forests throughout the world is reviewed, including its causes, course and consequences in Latin America, Africa and Southeast Asia. Primary, or undisturbed, forest under goes varying degrees of perturbation depending on exploitation practices. Timber exploitation has been particularly important in Southeast Asia. Slash-and-burn agriculture often follows due to improved access. Shifting cultivation is especially important in Africa, where high population pressure makes the access roads opened for logging an even stronger catalyst to entrance of slash-and-burn farmers. Cattle raising is a major cause in Latin America, often influenced by foreign market pressures and government policies.
Resumo Informações sobre a depleção das florestas úmidas tropicais no mundo são revisadas, inclusive das suas causas, tendências e conseqüências na América Latina, África e Suleste da Ásia. Floresta primária, ou seja não perturbada, sofre diferentes graus de mudança dependendo das práticas de exploração. Exploração de madeira tem sido particularmente importante no Suleste da Asia. Agricultura itinerante muitas vezes segue devido ao acesso melhorado. Agricultura migratória é especialmente importante na Africa, onde pressão populacional alta faz com que estradas de acesso abertas para a retirada da madeira se tornam um catalisador ainda mais forte, levando à entrada de agricultores itinerantes. Pecuária é uma causa principal na América Latina, muitas vezes influenciada por pressões de mercados estrangeiros e por políticas governamentais.