Bad news from the Amazon
There is certainly a valid debate to be had about how much deforestation can occur in the Amazon. Sadly, even were that debate to reach a conclusion crime and corruption are so endemic that implementing the results might prove impossible. Here's whyToday "74 year old American missionary Sister Dorothy Stang was assassinated on Saturday in the Amazon state of Para, Brazil. Sister Dorothy was travelling to a sustainable development project in Anapu with some colleagues when she was shot three times by two gunmen"
NY Times
Greenpeace coverage
Sister Stang was a long standing campaigner for land reform, peasants rights and sustainable development. Her death is a tragedy, but it's also a symbol of just how much damage crime and corruption causes in developing countries. I only found out who she was today.