In order to expand agriculture and stimulate a sagging economy, the Brazilian government eased environmental laws which allowed large tracts of rainforest to be cut down or burned. In three to five sentences, construct a potential chain of consequences for what can happen as a result of this kind of deforestation. The chain does not have to be linear (i.e., five steps in a row), but can have several branches, one for each different potential consequence. Your chain should include at least four steps, including the original event. In kid words
1. The Brazilian government eases environmental laws, allowing large areas of rainforest to be cut down or burned.
2. As a result, farmers and companies start clearing the rainforest to make space for agriculture, such as cattle ranching or growing soybeans.
3. The clearing of the rainforest leads to the destruction of animal habitats and loss of biodiversity, causing many species to lose their homes and become endangered or extinct. Additionally, the rainforest's ability to absorb carbon dioxide is greatly reduced, contributing to climate change.
4. With fewer trees, the soil becomes less fertile, leading to decreased crop yields over time. This can harm the economy and food production in the long run, further worsening the sagging economy.