Local anthropology professor and Animal Planet host share their thoughts on Amazon fires
A UC Santa Barbara anthropology professor Jeffrey Hoelle said he has never seen so much news about the Amazon.
He said he has lived there and visited about ten times during 12 years of study.
Hoelle wrote an opinion piece in the Los Angeles Times about a recent visit.
He said the people of Amazon should not be vilified.
“They are quite skeptical of Americans and Europeans telling them how they can use their land.”
He said the region has opened up like the Wild West
“The culprits who are largely responsible are large ranchers producing beef.”
Hoelle said many people believe they will have to give forego profit if they don’t cut the forest.
Some have suggested they be compensated.
He said it is a complicated issue due to climate change.
He has seen rivers that used to be big turning into sterams and people digging deeper to get to water.
Animal Planet Extinct or Alive host Forrest Galante has been to the region too.
He hopes to go again to help Global Wildlife Conservation.
Galante said millions of animals are being displaced.
He said people can help by donating to Earth Alliance. The organization is trying to save land.
Galanta is aware that climate skeptics consider it a false alarm, but he believes they have a narrow understanding of the problem.
