Dear Language Enthusiast, Welcome to the Portuguese Monthly, the Internet newsletter from Transparent Language. In this issue, we focus on one of today's most important issues: the environment. As we move into the new millennium, the impact of modern society on the environment is a key concern in Brazil, as in countries around the world. Examining how the people of Brazil view and address this critical issue offers fascinating insights into the culture, and its connection to Brazil's unique environment. I think you'll find this month's article thought provoking, as well as effective in building your language skills. Sincerely, Transparent Language www.transparent.com Em português: O Brasil é um país vasto e diverso, conhecido especialmente pela diversidade de seu meio-ambiente. A Amazônia é a maior preocupação ambiental por causa do perigo imposto à floresta amazônica pelos madeireiros e da destruição da camada de ozônio. No entanto, gostaria de examinar aqui a vida marinha do Brasil e o papel da International Wildlife Coalition (Coalizão Internacional da Vida Silvestre) em sua proteção. A International Wildlife Coalition (IWC) se estabeleceu no Brasil em 1986. Trata-se de uma organização civil sem fins lucrativos que trabalha para proteger assuntos ambientais, fauna e flora. As estratégias empregadas pela IWC são estabelecidas sob medida para o meio ambiente local e os projetos são dirigidos por ambientalistas brasileiros. O projeto golfinho Sotalia O projeto golfinho Sotalia foi criado em 1991 por Paulo André Flores, um biólogo brasileiro. Este projeto concentra-se na área de proteção ambiental de Anhatomirim, a área que cerca a ilha de Anhatomirim. O projeto foi fundado para o estudo dos golfinhos Tucuxi (Sotalia fluviatilis): seu habitat, comportamento e o impacto humano em seu meio ambiente. Os cientistas desenvolvem e usam técnicas de pesquisa não- intrusivas, como foto-identificação e utilizam suas descobertas para propor novos métodos de conservação baseados em pesquisa científica. O projeto recebe apoio da Fundação Boticário e da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. Projeto baleia Franca O projeto baleia Franca foi criado em 1981 por Ibsen Câmara, um proeminente ambientalista brasileiro. Esse projeto concentra seus estudos no sul do Brasil, principalmente no estado de Santa Catarina. O projeto monitora, protege e pesquisa as baleias Francas que migram para o Brasil de maio a novembro para o nascimento e criação de seus filhotes. Há também um programa de educação ambiental sobre baleias que inclui um programa de observação de baleias cuidadosamente monitorado, o que também oferece sustento econômico para as comunidades litorâneas. O projeto recebe apoio da Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society. As baleias Francas são bem diferentes de outras baleias. Possuem corpos negros arredondados e "verrugas" de cor branca em suas cabeças. Essas "verrugas" servem como identificadores para os pesquisadores e são parecidos com a impressão digital humana, pois cada baleia nasce com um desenho único das mesmas. As baleias podem chegar a mais de 18 metros de comprimento e podem pesar até 40 toneladas. As baleias quase se tornaram extintas e a última estação baleeira foi fechada em 1973, por falta de baleias! Desde então, o movimento para trazer de volta a população aumentou e, em 1995, o estado de Santa Catarina declarou a baleia Monumento Natural Estadual, o que assegura sua proteção total. In English: Brazil is a vast and diverse country, especially well known for the diversity of its environment. The Amazon is the most notable environmental concern because of the danger posed to the rainforest by loggers and the destruction of the O-zone. However, in this newsletter, I would like to examine the marine life of Brazil and the role that the International Wildlife Coalition plays in protecting it. The International Wildlife Coalition (IWC) established itself in Brazil in 1986. It is a non-profit, non- governmental organization that works to protect environmental concerns and animal and plant life. The strategies employed by the IWC are tailored to the local ambient and the projects are directed by Brazilian environmentalists. The Sotalia Dolphin Project The Sotalia Dolphin Project was established in 1991 by Paulo André Flores, a Brazilian biologist. It is concentrated in the Environmental Protection Area of Anhatomirim, the area surrounding Anhatomirim Island. The Project was founded to study the tucuxi dolphins (Sotalia fluviatilis): their habitat, their behavior and the impact of humans on their environment. The scientists develop and use non-intrusive research techniques, such as photo-identification. They use their findings to propose new conservation methods based on scientific research. The Project receives support from the Boticário Conservation Foundation and the Federal University of Santa Catarina. The Right Whale Project The Right Whale Project was established in 1981 by Ibsen Câmara, a prominent Brazilian environmentalist. The Project concentrates its studies in southern Brazil, mainly in the state of Santa Catarina. The Project monitors, protects and researches the right whales who migrate to Brazil from May to November to give birth and raise their young. They also maintain an environmental education program about the whales. The educational program includes a closely monitored whale-watching program, which also serves to provide some economic sustenance for the coastal communities. The Project gets support from the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society. The right whales are quite distinct from other whales. They have round, black bodies and white callosities on their heads. These callosities serve as identifiers for the researchers, much like human fingerprints, as each whale is born with a unique pattern of them. The whales can grow to be 60 feet long and weigh 40 tons. The whales almost became extinct until the last whaling station was closed in 1973, due to lack of whales! Since then the movement to bring back the population has grown, and in 1995 the State of Santa Catarina declared the whales a State Natural Monument, which assures their full protection. Source: www.via-rs.com.br PortugueseNow! Tips For a fun and effective way to build your vocabulary, make a list of CheckWords as you read a Title, then play Vocabulous! or Crosswords with that CheckWord List. You can set Vocabulous! or Crosswords to select words of a specific part of speech. On the Select a Game screen, click Part of Speech and choose the type of word you want.

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