What is Extractivism? – Types and Consequences

You’ve certainly heard this term in newspapers and conversations. But do you know what extractivism is?

Extractivism is the action of removing natural resources for personal, commercial, or industrial use. One of the main economic activities in Brazil, it is in Brazilian lands even before the arrival of the Portuguese, who took a lot of advantage of it.

The use of raw materials obtained from nature for the production of consumer goods drives the entire economy in the country. However, it is worth remembering that the extraction is made from what nature offers. Therefore, plantations made by men should not be considered extractive activities.

In this post, we invite you to learn more details about what extractivism is. What are the main types and how extractivism happens in Brazil. In addition, you will understand what the advantages and disadvantages of extractivism and the importance of sustainable extractivism.

In this post:

• What is extractivism
• Get to know Redda+

What is extractivism

Extractivism is all the removal of materials of natural origin, that is, produced by the environment. Extraction is one of the oldest human activities in the world, being an activity linked to human survival. If, initially, power was in the hands of men, the evolution of society offered machines to assist extraction.

The purposes of extraction are diverse, for personal, commercial, and even industrial use. Through the extraction of natural resources, society grows and develops. There are natural goods in all everyday products, from meals to elaborate ones, such as paper.

Despite extractivism being so inherent to society, industrial growth worries about the way extractions are carried out. It is an important and delicate activity that, without proper care, becomes an environmental threat. Extractivism can be of plant, animal, and mineral origin, check out more information about each one of them.

Plant Extractivism

Plant extractivism is when the product taken from nature is of plant origin, for example, wood, rubber, fruits, etc. In the case of extractivism, nature takes care of the entire production process, only the harvest is made by man. The development of the flora is spontaneous and natural.

That is why agriculture should not be confused with plant extractivism. The agricultural activity involves human participation throughout the raw material production cycle. The classic example of plant extraction is the removal of sap from rubber trees, the latex used in the manufacture of rubber.

Animal extractivism

Animal extractivism is the activity of hunting and fishing. These activities are from remote times, linked to human survival. Man pursues, captures, and kills animals in their natural habitat for food.

However, the growth of economic activity and the advancement of these activities required the creation of some rules. Therefore, some countries have laws, mainly related to hunting. It is a way of protecting species that have started to disappear due to hunting. Fishing must also respect the fish reproduction and growth cycle.

Mineral extractivism

Mineral extraction is a high-cost and labor-intensive activity because the raw material extracted is located inside the earth’s crust. Mineral resources were exploited manually but currently rely on the help of technology. However, as they are a deeper exploration, they cause major changes in the ecosystem.

Mineral extraction can take place in soils, rivers, and even seas. These minerals are used for different purposes. Some of the main minerals are petroleum, iron, as well as silver, and gold. Even mineral water enters the list of natural goods used from mineral extraction.

Sustainable Extractivism

In addition to knowing what extractivism is, it is important to know that there is a sustainable way of doing it.

Sustainable extractivism is an alternative found to minimize the impacts on the environment caused by the activity. Sustainable management of biodiversity is used to assist in the conservation of biomes. In addition, we seek to educate communities in the regions most affected by extractivism.

Through sustainable extractivism, families living in areas close to nature can consciously enjoy natural resources. They can have a secure source of income and still help in the preservation and conservation of the environment. Therefore, it is necessary to link environmental and social responsibility, providing better opportunities for these communities.

Currently, in Brazil, there are many cooperatives and institutions that help in the growth of sustainable extractivism. They are important to minimize environmental impacts and also help to create a source of income for the region.

Extractivism in Brazil

Now that you know what extractivism is, you must ask yourself how it works in Brazil.

Extractivism in Brazil is closely linked to its life history. The extractive activity was present in indigenous peoples and was the main source of economy for the Portuguese in their colonization.

Initially, the main products explored were gold and pau-brasil. A reddish pigment used for dyeing fabrics, among other things, was removed from pau-brasil.

The North Region has an economy that is heavily linked to plant extraction, for example, chestnuts, wood, açaí, and latex. Still, in the North region, there is a lot of plant extractivism for subsistence. The Amazon is one of the regions that suffer most from the consequences of illegal and uncontrolled extractivism.

Check out the main products of plant extraction in Brazil:

• Wood;
• Rubber;
• Chestnut;
• Palm heart;
• Buriti.

Animal extractivism has its restrictions. Hunting, for example, is illegal and only some traditional indigenous communities have specific authorizations.

The main products of mineral extraction in Brazil are:

• Petroleum;
• Salt;
• Iron;
• Gold.

Extractive Reserves in Brazil

The Chico Mendes Extractive Reserve is one of the best-known. The Verde para Sempre Extractive Reserve is considered one of the largest in the country and is located in the state of Pará. These areas are called Extractive Reserve because they are Conservation Units. These are forest areas protected by law, in which traditional populations rely on extractivism for their survival.

Brazil has 95 extractive reserves (RESEX) according to data from the Brazilian Conservation Units. Each one with a unique characteristic, of federal or state responsibility. In large part, deforestation in the Legal Amazon is one of the main threats.

Extractivism for Agribusiness

Agribusiness connects several sectors related to the complete production of a food product. Within agribusiness, there is plant extractive activity. However, plant extraction is just one step in the whole process, as it is also important for generating business and jobs.

In addition, agribusiness is constantly being a bridge between modernization and increased production. Mineral and animal extractivisms are also present in agribusiness.

An agribusiness with an active environmental conscience is extremely important so that extractivism does not derail destruction. Through technology and knowledge, agribusiness can invest in sustainable extractivism, presenting healthy alternatives in this practice.

Disadvantages of extractivism

As with countless processes that involve the environment, understanding what extractivism is goes beyond how to do it and what it is for.

You also need to be aware of the disadvantages. After all, we are talking about a process of extracting something from nature.

In this case, the great disadvantage of extractivism is precisely the way in which natural resources are exploited. If, previously, the activity was basically for the survival of humanity, currently, it happens in an excessive way. The need to feed the economy and the market increases the damage caused by careless extractivism.

Among the problems caused by unbalanced extractivism is the extinction of fauna and flora. In addition, we observe dramatic changes in the natural landscape and follow worrying changes in ecosystems.

It is also necessary to understand that material goods are finite. Exploitation without due environmental responsibility can lead to the end of many species of the product necessary for the production of other materials. Deforestation caused by extractivism can also worsen climate change.

Finally, in addition to natural issues, irregular extractivism can also destroy traditional populations whose source of economic, social, and survival is in the forest. Therefore, an area explored without control is lost and takes with it all those who live through it.

Find out how Redda+ and you can help preserve the environment

Redda+ is an institution concerned with the experience and survival of traditional communities in the Amazon region. Therefore, it invests in projects that can integrate these communities with the space in which they live, almost always, in regions close to the forest. It is a way to reach these residents with information and technical assistance for sustainable growth and development.

In this way, it is possible to show how important the integrative relationship with nature is. One of the Redda+ projects takes place in the Portel region, in Pará. The project was developed respecting the three pillars of sustainability, that is, economic, social, and environmental issues. To this end, it has the guidelines of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. Goals help create and implement projects that make a difference locally and globally.

As a complete project, Redda+ is also aligned with REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) mechanisms. In this way, we believe it is possible to cooperate for the well-being of society and nature. More than preserving and conserving the environment, we understand that human beings can positively relate to nature. Click here to learn more about our projects.