Research shows that while deforestation can lead to an initial boom in a country's GDP, over time, the boom leads to a bust and for the indigenous people whose land was taken over are no better off then before their forests were destroyed. … [Read more...] about There’s money in them trees…or is there? Taking a look at the economics of deforestation
A spirit of reverence: The human right to clean water
Rainforests are among the wettest places on our planet, getting between 8 to 14 feet of rainfall each year. For comparison, New York gets less than four feet of rain a year and London gets about 2.5 feet. Tropical rainforests are often found in the watersheds of mighty rivers such as the Amazon, the Congo and the Mekong. … [Read more...] about A spirit of reverence: The human right to clean water
Nature and Culture: The two-faced nature of ecotourism
“I had traveled by car, plane, boat and foot — more than 100 miles from conventional civilization — to reach a place where the old ways have not been forgotten, where local people interpret the world through their dreams and the forest spirit known as Arutam is said to inhabit the mighty kapok tree.” … [Read more...] about Nature and Culture: The two-faced nature of ecotourism
EXTRACTIVE RESERVES: SUSTAINABLE HARVESTING OF RAINFOREST RESOURCES
Imagine you are on a river boat, meandering down the Amazon. The August sky looms dark and grey overhead, the cool river breeze a welcome respite from the vapid humidity. The silver river glides by as the air is shattered by the sonorous cries of howler monkeys. Then, suddenly, you hear it: the sharp, staccato sound of sharpened metal on aged wood. Someone is cutting down a tree. … [Read more...] about EXTRACTIVE RESERVES: SUSTAINABLE HARVESTING OF RAINFOREST RESOURCES
More than the trees: Empowering indigenous people to protect their rainforest homes
How much would you pay for 9 million hectares – that’s an area larger than Scotland or about the size of the US state of Indiana – of unspoiled old-growth tropical rainforest? No, I am not trying to swindle you or sell virgin rainforest lands, but this is now a question the world has to grapple with. According to the Financial Times, Mr. Bavon N’sa Mputu Elima, the Minister of Environment for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in a presentation to the UK House of Parliament, explained that … [Read more...] about More than the trees: Empowering indigenous people to protect their rainforest homes
PALM OIL AND INDIGENOUS RIGHTS: A HEADY MIXTURE
What connects peanut butter with soap? Or cereal with cosmetics? Or chocolates with laundry detergents? The answer is one of their ingredients – “vegetable” oil. … [Read more...] about PALM OIL AND INDIGENOUS RIGHTS: A HEADY MIXTURE
