The amount of biodiversity on this planet is truly awe-inspiring. Scientists nearly unanimously agree that deforestation directly leads to global climate change. Furthermore, scientists lament loss of biodiversity, particularly with respect to still undiscovered and undocumented species. Some believe these unidentified species could hold the key to curing diseases or provide a blueprint for further scientific innovation based off of Mother Nature’s diverse creations.

People from around the world who are conscientious of the destruction of this important ecosystem commonly cite the Amazon rainforest as the largest and most well-known example of this manmade calamity. Other rainforests also face similar – albeit less publicized – challenges throughout Indonesia and Southeast Asia.

Focusing on the Amazon rainforest specifically, for decades now, it has been the modus operandai to blame the “evil” foreign investors and multinationals who recklessly steal the national resources of this fertile region. The word “imperialist” is a one-size-fits-all method of passing the buck to others far away.

But concerned citizens need to take a closer look at the real forces leading to the continued deforestation of the Amazon rainforest. For far too long, the blame for deforestation has been placed on international corporations, as well as other powerful multinational entities such as the International Monetary Fund or the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.

In the case of Brazil, the pro-nationalist, avidly anti-imperialist Workers’ Party has been in power for nearly 10 years. Since assuming control of the country, the party has made several key changes. Most notable has been the systematic and methodical alienation of the IMF and other multinationals operating inside Brazil; in other words, Brazil has become increasingly protectionist economically.

One ambitious goal set by the party was the creation of more jobs for Brazilians. As a result, the first decade of the 21st century will be remembered in Brazil as a decade of tremendous growth, with extensive construction projects and infrastructure development.

Scientists have confirmed that deforestation increases greenhouse gases much more than fossil fuel emissions do. By far the largest cause of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest is land clearing for cattle and livestock; for the past decade, it was estimated that close to 70 percent of all deforestation in the Amazon was for the purpose of cattle ranching. Surprisingly, the often-vilified practice of logging, long associated with imperialists, was deemed to be the cause of a mere 2-3 percent of all Amazonian deforestation. Add into the equation the fact that Brazilians consume more beef per capita than nearly any other nation worldwide, and a much clearer picture emerges, further clarifying what really is the driving force behind the continued deforestation of the Amazon.

The biggest irony of them all concerning deforestation in the Amazon has yet to be spelled out. As mentioned earlier, the term “imperialist” has an extremely negative connotation. Throughout history, imperialists are best remembered for arriving from distant foreign lands, claiming territory that was not their own, enforcing their preferred sets of rules on local inhabitants, and implementing de facto ownership. Funny enough, in the case of Brazil as well as several neighboring nations, the government honors and safeguards the imperialist practice of squatting.

This essentially means people come from somewhere else, arrive on a location, set up shop, claim it as their own, implement their own lifestyle and way of life and, after a certain period of time, expect legal recognition as the rightful owners of that piece of land. In the case of Brazil, anyone looking to start life anew simply abandons the city, leaves for the edge of the rainforest and squats. Ownership is legal after exactly one year and one day of inhabiting the land, and this land can be resold after five years of ownership.

In a region that notoriously prides itself on fervent nationalism and staunch anti-imperialism, it is ironic to see the Amazon rainforest being ravaged not by foreign imperialists, but rather by millions of native mini-imperialists, all of whom are taking advantage of the legal system for what they hope will be a better life. The only loser at the end of the day is their own national treasure, pillaged and soon to be exhausted by its own people.