The Rise of Eucalyptus in Brazil’s Cellulose Valley
The tour bus was standing by to take the workers down the highway at 1 a.m., arriving in the nearest city, Três Lagoas, by 3 a.m. to pick up the next shift. “You don’t do this work without a few birds at home to feed,” a driver remarked as he watched his colleagues filling holes in the field by the light of their headlamps. After getting permission from his boss, he drove us an hour each way to town to the nearest gas station.
A Road of Opportunity
This highway through the Cellulose Valley has become known as a road of opportunity, with eucalyptus as the region’s new lifeblood after the cattle industry shrank its footprint. Not far from the new Suzano factory, a popular roadside attraction is an oversize sculpture of a black bull at the gates of a well-known ranch. The ranch was recently planted, and the bull is now guarded by a phalanx of eucalyptus.
The Allure of Eucalyptus
On TikTok, workers post selfies and views from tractors in the nearby groves, backed by a song from the local country music duo Jads e Jadson. “I’m going to plant some eucalyptus / I’ll get rich and you’ll fall in love with me,” sings a down-on-his-luck man at risk of losing his fiancée. Later, when he cuts down the trees and becomes a wealthy man with better options, he cuts off his betrothed, too.
Government Support and Environmental Concerns
The race to plant more eucalyptus here is backed heavily by the state government, which last year waived environmental requirements for new farms on pasture and hopes to quickly double its area in just a few years. The trees were an important component of Brazil’s plan to meet its global climate commitments, and the timber industry was keen to cash in. Companies like Suzano have already proposed that tens of thousands of their hectares become eligible for carbon credits.
The Threat of Fires
What’s top of mind for everyone, though, is worsening fires. Even when we visited in midwinter, the weather was hot and dry. The wider region was in a deep drought, perhaps the worst in 700 years, and in a few weeks, one of the worst fire seasons ever would begin. Suzano would be forced to make a rare pause in its planting when soil temperatures reached 154 °F. Posted along the highway are constant reminders of the coming danger: signs, emblazoned with the logos of a dozen timber companies, that read “FOGO ZERO,” or “ZERO FIRE.”
Eucalyptus and Fire Risk
In other places struck by megafires, like Portugal and Chile, eucalyptus has been blamed for worsening the flames. (The Chilean government has recently excluded pine and eucalyptus farms from its climate plans.) But here in Brazil, where climate change is already supersizing the blazes, the industry offers sophisticated systems to detect and suppress fires.
Managing Water Consumption
Eucalyptus is often portrayed as impossibly thirsty compared with other trees, but it is not uniquely so. In some parts of the Cerrado, it has been found to consume four times as much water as native vegetation; in others, the two landscapes have been roughly in line. It depends on many factors—what type of soil it’s planted in, what Cerrado vegetation coexists with it, how intensely the eucalyptus is farmed. Timber companies, which have no interest in seeing their own plantations run dry, invest heavily in managing water.
Conclusion
The rise of eucalyptus in Brazil’s Cellulose Valley is a complex issue, with both economic and environmental implications. While the industry provides jobs and contributes to the local economy, it also poses risks such as fire and water consumption. As the region continues to grow and develop, it is essential to balance these competing interests and ensure that the benefits of eucalyptus cultivation are shared by all.
FAQs
- Q: What is the main reason for the rise of eucalyptus in Brazil’s Cellulose Valley?
A: The main reason for the rise of eucalyptus in Brazil’s Cellulose Valley is the decline of the cattle industry and the government’s support for the timber industry. - Q: What are the environmental concerns associated with eucalyptus cultivation?
A: The environmental concerns associated with eucalyptus cultivation include fire risk, water consumption, and the potential impact on native vegetation. - Q: How do timber companies manage water consumption in eucalyptus plantations?
A: Timber companies manage water consumption in eucalyptus plantations by investing in sophisticated irrigation systems and managing soil moisture levels. - Q: What is the role of the government in promoting eucalyptus cultivation?
A: The government plays a significant role in promoting eucalyptus cultivation by providing incentives, waiving environmental requirements, and supporting the timber industry. - Q: What are the potential benefits of eucalyptus cultivation?
A: The potential benefits of eucalyptus cultivation include job creation, economic growth, and contributions to the local economy.
