Brazil arguably boasts some of the most breathtaking natural wonders and extensive natural resources worldwide. Covering a total area of over eight and a half million square kilometers, Brazil features more than two hundred million hectares of rangeland, over six million hectares of farmland, and one hundred million hectares of unexploited land.
In acknowledgement of its natural beauty and extensive though finite resources, Brazil has focused on research and development of green initiatives, most notably renewable energy, since the early 1970s. In order to implement these and other green land use initiatives, Brazilian authorities have utilized various legal techniques to secure financing from foreign and domestic investors and to ensure compliance with development and environmental laws. This dedication has not gone unnoticed. In a March 8, 2011 United Nations press conference in preparation for the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development, Sha Zukang, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, stated, "Brazil has certainly shown the world how to put sustainable development into practice."
Numerous countries worldwide, including the United States, can duplicate Brazil's environmental and developmental success through the similar legal tactics, governmental initiatives and economic incentives as those implemented in Brazil. This article will discuss how this country was able to attain the title of the world's most forward thinker in terms of sustainability and green development.
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