Question

part c — reading: the amazon under pressure (critical lens)
the amazon rainforest is often called the \lungs of the earth,\ but in recent decades it has become a battleground between corporations, governments, and the indigenous peoples who have lived there for thousands of years. most deforestation in the amazon is not caused by families farming for survival — it is driven by large - scale agribusiness that clears forest for cattle ranching and soy production. these products are then sold on global markets, meaning rainforest destruction is linked to consumer demand far beyond brazils borders.
indigenous territories are some of the most ecologically intact areas remaining in the amazon. however, these lands are often threatened by land grabs, illegal logging, and mining backed by political pressure from industries seeking profit. when land rights are weak or ignored, indigenous communities lose not just trees, but food systems, water sources, and cultural identity tied to the forest.
clearing rainforest also disrupts regional climate. trees normally release water vapor into the air through evapotranspiration — a process that helps generate rainfall. when forests are cut down, this system breaks down, leading to drought, more forest fires, and the risk of a tipping point where the amazon could shift toward savanna. this is not only an environmental issue — it is also a question of who gets to decide what land is for: economic growth today or ecological stability and cultural survival in the future.

part d — questions

1. according to the reading, who benefits most from amazon deforestation?
2. why are indigenous territories important for conservation?
3. how does rainforest loss disrupt the regional climate?
4. the passage argues that rainforest destruction is also a political issue. explain why.

Explanation:

1. En el texto se dice que la deforestación en el Amazonas está impulsada por la granja ganadera y la producción de soja, que son vendidas en mercados globales. Entonces, las grandes empresas agronegocios y los consumidores globales son los que más se benefician.
2. Los territorios indígenas son importantes para la conservación porque son áreas ecológicamente intactas.
3. La pérdida de la selva interrumpe el proceso de evapotranspiración, lo que reduce la generación de lluvia y puede causar sequías, incendios forestales y un cambio hacia una sabana.
4. Es un problema político porque se trata de quién decide cómo se usa la tierra: para el crecimiento económico actual o la estabilidad ecológica y la supervivencia cultural futura. Esto implica decisiones políticas sobre derechos de tierra y prioridades.

Answer:

1. Grandes empresas agronegocios y consumidores globales.
2. Son áreas ecológicamente intactas.
3. Interrumpe el proceso de evapotranspiración, reduciendo la generación de lluvia y causando sequías, incendios y riesgo de cambio a sabana.
4. Porque implica decisiones políticas sobre quién decide el uso de la tierra (crecimiento económico vs estabilidad ecológica y supervivencia cultural).