The Native peoples have lived in the rainforest for about 12,000 years.

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1 Rainforest interest groups Native Amazonians: The Native peoples have lived in the rainforest for about 12,000 years. They hunt, fish, and grow crops on small plots of land they clear. When a field is no longer fertile, they clear a new one and leave the old one to be covered by the forest. They want the government to make them the legal owners of their homeland so they can live where they belong, on their own land. They have lived in these forests for 12,000 years, and their use of the land and its resources are sustainable. Rubber Tappers: They first came to the Amazon in the 1870 s to work on rubber tree plantations. Tappers remove sap from rubber trees by making cuts in the bark, which does not harm the trees. They want to continue to make a living by tapping rubber. To do this, the practice of clearing all trees from the rainforest must stop. They want the government to set up protected areas where we can continue rubber tapping. They have lived and worked in the rainforest for generations and they use its resources in a sustainable way.

2 Loggers: They began moving into the Amazon basin in the 1960 s. They harvest trees for a variety of uses. Valuable hardwoods like mahogany and rosewood are used to make furniture. Other trees are used for lumber and to make paper. They want to continue clear-cutting in the rainforests, which is the most economical way to harvest trees. These logging companies provide jobs for thousands in Brazil. The trees that they harvest provide wood for furniture factories and paper mills, and Brazil exported more than 5 billion dollars of wood in This helps the economy and all the people of Brazil, not just a small group. Settlers: They first came to the rainforest in the 1960 s when the Brazilian government began encouraging poor people to move to the Amazon rainforests. These settlers cleared the land the government gave them and used it for farming. They want the rainforest land to farm so we can feed their families. Farming on rainforest land is difficult, but the best farmland in their country is already owned by others. The government gave them the land and encouraged them to move there. There is no land for them in other parts of the country, so they must use this land to survive.

3 Cattle Ranchers: They first came to parts of the Amazon basin starting in the 1960 s. They clear land, or use land already cleared by loggers and farmers, for grazing their cattle. Cattle eat the grass in an area down to the dirt and then move to a new area. They want large tracts of rainforest land so they can go on cattle ranching in the area. While some argue they don t belong in the rainforest, they are making good use of the land. The cattle that they raise help to feed people in Brazil. They also export over 1 billion dollars of beef per year to other countries, like the United States. This helps the Brazilian economy and all the people of Brazil, not just certain groups. Environmental: Scientists and environmentalists started coming in the 1970 s. Some study rainforest plants, hoping to find cures for diseases. Some study wildlife, and others work with native peoples. They want to protect the biodiversity of the rainforest by slowing down deforestation and development. 2.5 acres of rainforest contain 750 kinds of trees, 1,500 kinds of plants, 125 types of mammals, and 400 types of birds. Deforestation and development must be slowed so they can protect these rainforest species and study them.

4 Matching statements with Rainforest Interest Groups Groups that would make the following statements We ve been here longer than anyone. Our land and way of life should be protected. Land that has been opened to us in the rainforest finally gives us a chance to provide food for our families. You can t take that away. What we do to earn a living doesn t hurt the rainforest. Because of that, we should have land of our own in the rainforest. We are taking land that has already been cleared and making it productive. Besides, we provide a valuable product to hungry people all around the world. People in other countries use the valuable resources of their land to provide jobs for people and improve the economic situation of their country. Why can t we do the same? We must stop much of what is happening to the rainforest or eventually people all over the Earth will suffer.

5 Groups that each of these statements would be directed toward Unless you change the way you do things, the valuable resource you take from the rainforest won t be around much longer. Then what will you do? You are such a small group, your interests shouldn t outweigh the needs of an entire country. Besides, the way you live just doesn t fit with modern times. The way you use the rainforest s land turns the forest into grasslands. Grassland may benefit you, but it hurts lots of other people, both here in the Amazon basin and around the world. Why can t you be given land somewhere else? Besides, rainforest land isn t even good for how you want to use it. It s easy for you to tell the rest of us what should be done with the rainforest. But you don t rely on the rainforest s land and resources to live, like we do. The way you make your living in the rainforest is old fashioned. You are keeping others from using that land more productively.

6 Matching statements with Rainforest Interest Groups Groups that would make the following statements We ve been here longer than anyone. Our land and way of life should be protected. Native Amazonians Land that has been opened to us in the rainforest finally gives us a chance to provide food for our families. You can t take that away. The Settlers What we do to earn a living doesn t hurt the rainforest. Because of that, we should have land of our own in the rainforest. Rubber Tappers We are taking land that has already been cleared and making it productive. Besides, we provide a valuable product to hungry people all around the world. Cattle Ranchers People in other countries use the valuable resources of their land to provide jobs for people and improve the economic situation of their country. Why can t we do the same? Loggers We must stop much of what is happening to the rainforest or eventually people all over the Earth will suffer. Environmentalists

7 Groups that each of these statements would be directed toward Unless you change the way you do things, the valuable resource you take from the rainforest won t be around much longer. Then what will you do? Loggers You are such a small group, your interests shouldn t outweigh the needs of an entire country. Besides, the way you live just doesn t fit with modern times. Native Amazonians The way you use the rainforest s land turns the forest into grasslands. Grassland may benefit you, but it hurts lots of other people, both here in the Amazon basin and around the world. Cattle Ranchers Why can t you be given land somewhere else? Besides, rainforest land isn t even good for how you want to use it. Settlers It s easy for you to tell the rest of us what should be done with the rainforest. But you don t rely on the rainforest s land and resources to live, like we do. Environmentalists The way you make your living in the rainforest is old fashioned. You are keeping others from using that land more productively. Rubber Tappers