Environmental policy-making networks and the future of the Amazon
2008

Environmental Policy-Making Networks and the Future of the Amazon

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Lemos Maria Carmen, Roberts J. Timmons

Primary Institution: Environmental Change Institute, Oxford University

Hypothesis

The effectiveness of environmentalist networks in the Amazon depends on their ability to attract elite support, secure international backing, and mobilize resources.

Conclusion

The study finds that while international support has helped environmentalist networks, they are often outmatched by Brazilian developmentalist interests, leading to ongoing deforestation.

Supporting Evidence

  • International influences have been substantial in enabling environmentalist networks to flourish.
  • Deforestation rates have continued despite efforts from environmentalist networks.
  • Pro-environment networks often struggle to neutralize opposition from developmentalist interests.

Takeaway

This study looks at how groups trying to protect the Amazon work against those wanting to develop it, and how they often struggle to succeed.

Methodology

The article analyzes four historical periods of environmental policy-making in the Amazon, focusing on the interactions between pro-environment and pro-development networks.

Potential Biases

Potential bias exists in the portrayal of the struggles between environmentalist and developmentalist interests, which may not capture the full complexity of the situation.

Limitations

The analysis may oversimplify the complex dynamics of policy-making by framing it as a dichotomy between two opposing networks.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1098/rstb.2007.0038

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