Brazil

I. Country Background

Large river systems, Long Atlantic coastline, Large tropical rainforest, Temperate areas in the south, Scrubland, prairies, rainforests, mangroves, big cities, Environmental Issues, Slash and burn deforestation, Mangrove loss due to rising oceans, Droughts in northern agricultural lands, Illegal trade of wildlife, loss of species, Improper mining activities

Economic Summary

$1.836 Trillion GDP

Mining, agriculture, textiles, machinery,

Coffee, soybean, cocoa, beef, sugar

2.1 bbl/day oil consumption

Labor force - 99.47 million

- Agriculture (5.1% of GDP) : coffee, soybeans, sugarcane, cocoa, livestock, corn, cotton, wheat, tobacco

- Industry (30.8% of GDP): steel, commercial aircrafts, chemicals, footwear, machinery, motors, cement, lumber

- Services (64% of GDP): mail, telecommunications, banking, energy, commerce, commuting.

Trade: Trade balance (2007)--$43.6 billion surplus.

Exports--$159.2 billion. ( US, Argentina, China)

Imports--$115.6 billion. (US, Argentina, China)

Energy Consumption

1.) oil (48 percent, including ethanol)

2.) hydroelectricity (35 percent)

3.) natural gas (7 percent)

Impacts of Sea Level Rise

Loss of mangroves along Atlantic coast, salinization of land near Amazon delta, fisheries surrounding coasts, increased ocean temperature caused unprecedented hurricanes in South America, loss of several ports’ usability

Impacts of Glacier Loss

Hydro-electric power might suffer, Increased erosion during rainy season, Lack of buffer for drought-prone north and recently recorded south-east, Rural migration to watered big cities, Loss in crop productivity, Impacts of Deforestation, Most deforested land in S, America at 25 million sq. hectares, Loss of biodiversity in rainforest, Slash and burn for unfertile lands, No rainforest growth into southern lands, Most trees aren’t profitable for felling

Kyoto Status

Brazil has signed and ratified the Kyoto Protocol. As a non-Annex I party, Brazil is not bound by specific targets for GHG emissions.

II. Post-Kyoto Arguments

Goal of agreement - We want to eventually eliminate greenhouse gasses but for now we will settle for regulation in the from or limits on emissions and limits on creation of gas emitting things.  (cars, factories, paddies, etc)

Length of Kyoto agreement is 50 years with annex classification reassessment every 5 years

Annex Classifications

Keep annexes.  It’s the developed countries’ fault that we’re in this mess, they have the resources to change while we will be hindered in our growth by the added taxation of sustainable nation-building.  Brazil is in this voluntarily for the betterment of the world, we will hinder ourselves on the basis that nations have an EQUAL stake in a global sense and should thus enjoy a more equitable quality of life.

Emission Reduction

Emissions Limits - Conditional, countries that pollute more should bear a larger burden of cleaning up.  Emissions should be staggered in a regressive system where those that pollute more decrease emissions at a lower percentage but at a higher net amount.  That percentage will be set by a nation-by-nation basis and that amount will be determined after analysis of effectiveness and a set global emissions goal.

Development Assistance

We support CDM projects in Brazil in exchange for pollution credits from developed countries.  All projects should be sustainable and follow the basic human rights and environmental rights established in past international treaties.  A panel made up of members form several unvested countries will evaluate the validity and value of credits with the main focus on GHGS reductions.

Technology Transfers

Developed countries sharing technology with developing countries will have to do so in a joint venture to receive pollution credits.  It would be prudent for developing countries to strengthen intellectual property enforcement. If any technology is discovered in electricity production, that technology must be made accessible as soon as possible to any and all countries through a pollution credit system.

Brazil will consider a cross-continental railroad to open South America’s interior for settlement,  Brazil will use it’s regional power to assist other nations gain from the Global Marshal Plan.

Breakthroughs in soil terraforming will be shared with the world in exchange for civil project financing.

Ideas for Discussion

a.         Create a timber market to provide an economic incentive to counter the profitability of slash and burn policies.

b.Water rights must remain in the hands of Brazil where it has already been established as a source of irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, sanitation, or for public drinking

c.Active enforcement and punishment through sanctions