Amazon region is rich in rare earths, which are of industrial and geopolitical importance. Should Brazil ever develop advanced semiconductor industries, we might need to exploit those natural resources.

I take it you won't object then?

▲

alpineman an hour ago | parent | next [-]

Sure, I won't object if you have a few mines for rare earths, if you stop deforestation for cattle feed (90%) and deforestation for cheap metals (iron etc - which is the other 10%). 1% for rare earths would be fine tbh. However this is not why the rainforest is being cut down. It's being cut down so that people can eat beef multiple times per week (with the resulting public health crisis that will come from that).

▲

matheusmoreira an hour ago | parent [-]

Brazil is literally the world's soy farm, and even that position is shaky since China continues to invest in Africa to cut us out and France continues to block European economic deals with Brazil.

Why on Earth would I want to stop deforestation? Sounds like something that will obviously harm the only major industry we still have.

▲

alpineman an hour ago | parent [-]

Because deforestation will mean your farmers across the country won't get reliable rainfall. That sounds like something will obviously harm your entire agriculture industry and also put your food supply at risk.

And for what? Completely unnecessary decadent meat consumption (50% more meat consumption per capita than Germany)? Good luck with that.

▲

matheusmoreira 35 minutes ago | parent [-]

> rainfall

Irrigation technology. Solved.

> And for what? Completely un-necessary decadent meat consumption?

Lula won his 2022 election by promising that the average Brazilian would once again be able to eat prime cuts of meat.

Not only did he not deliver, he actually made it even more unaffordable to eat meat. Instead of course correcting, he doubled down on it. He is literally quoted saying things like "if it's too expensive, don't buy it" and "if there's no meat, eat eggs or salad". Four years of this.

He is now hours away from losing the election to the first born son of Bolsonaro, the guy who he persecuted through his allies in the supreme court, who he smugly said would never leave jail and return to power.

Words can't describe just how thoroughly his party was eviscerated in the 1st round of elections earlier this month. I've literally never seen Brazilians utterly wipe out so many left wing politicians in a single day in my entire life. Even Bolsonaro's ex-wife got elected. Bolsonaro's party alone has absolute majority in the senate now, and major chunk of congress. People are literally comparing it to Nazi Germany. Even the "untouchable" supreme court was intimidated to the point it started trying to make peace with everyone they were actively persecuting only days ago. It resulted in the release of political prisoners. Watching it live was such a treat, I literally saw the smugness and confidence get wiped off their faces in real time. By the end of the 1st round election, they looked like they were attending a funeral. It brings a smile to my face just thinking about it.

Are you absolutely sure you want to to disdain our "completely unnecessary decadent meat consumption" ?

▲

alpineman 19 minutes ago | parent [-]

> Irrigation technology. Solved.

And where do you think the water comes from for that 'irrigation technology'? Rainfall.

> Are you absolutely sure you want to to disdain our "completely unnecessary decadent meat consumption" ?

Brazil has one of the highest meat consumptions per capita in the world. 50% higher than Germany. 40% higher than France. More than twice the world average. So yes.

	▲	matheusmoreira 13 minutes ago \| parent [-]
		> Brazil has one of the highest meat consumptions per capita in the world. 50% higher than Germany. 40% higher than France. More than twice the world average. So what? > So yes. Welp. Anyone who thinks like you do will get voted out. WEF's little 2030 agenda and meat consumption predictions can go to hell.

▲

defrost an hour ago | parent | prev [-]

You say that as though the Amazon is the only place on earth rich in rare earth minerals. It isn't - many places have them, a number have more than the Amazon.

Rare earths are not rare - the 'free minerals' are rare (non existent) to find "just laying about" as they bind to other elements and compounds in complex hard to unbind ways.

What the planet is rather short of is good, high quality, original condition rain forests.

	▲	matheusmoreira an hour ago \| parent [-]
		Amazon also contains petroleum. Would you oppose Petrobrás if it decided it was worth it to get it out of the ground?