Pico Bonito, Honduras. (Photo by R. Butler)
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Communication
One of the most essential parts of saving the world's rainforests is keeping an open line of communication between
all parties. Communication from all parties, including indigenous peoples, local populations, business interests,
governments, scientists, and conservationists, is key to understanding how to best approach balancing conservation
with development. The information gained from conferences can be used to help devise a plan that will be acceptable
to all parties. No group should be excluded or misrepresented and every effort should be made to keep conferences
open and non-threatening. Conferences should meet regularly and have some legislative muscle so that decisions
can be implemented. So far no such ideal conference has taken place, but in all fairness the whole rainforest conservation
issue is relatively recent as a worldwide concept.
The conferences that have met to date have brought up important issues, but their decisions tend to lack power
and usually go unimplemented. The largest environmental conference took place in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and was
host to some 100 heads of state, the largest gathering of such officials ever.
Since Rio, there have been countless small conferences which have discussed environmental issues. In June of 1995
the World Commission on Forests and Sustainable Development (WCFSD) met in Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo), aiming
to raise the level of understanding of rainforests' dual role in preserving natural environment and contributing
to sustainable development. The conference recognized the need for policy reform together with renewed efforts
to enforce existing regulations to stop deforestation. It promised more local community involvement in forest conservation
and management and placed special emphasis on reconciling conflicts between factions with different views on
forest use. The conference discussed better definition of land titles for local communities and various financial
mechanisms for ensuring more equal distribution of forests' benefits and revenues. This conference serves as an
example of what conservation conferences propose and how little things actually change afterwards.
Education
Education is one of the most important ingredients in saving the rainforests. Unfortunately, education is not a
high priority in many countries with tropical rainforests. When there are schools, conservation subjects are rarely
taught.
Education can teach the next generation lessons not learned in the past: that rainforests are worth saving. With
this information, children will be more aware of the problems they may face in the future when they become leaders.
"There Are No Lemurs in
America?"
What the individual can do
NGOs promote the role of the ordinary individual in conservation efforts. Recent surveys have suggested that the
American public is interested in conservation efforts both on a local and an international level. A 1999
poll conducted by the Mellman Group, Inc., found that the majority of those questioned nationwide favored a proposal
to protect all roadless areas of at least 1,000 acres in national forests. So the will exists; it is only a matter
of taking action.
Purchasing and consumption
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Things you can do to help save rainforests
Don't buy products made from wildlife skins
Don't buy exotic pets that have been collected from the wild. You can ask pet stores whether animals are "wild-caught" or "captive bred." "Captive-bred" animals are more friendly for the environment
Buy recycled paper.
Don't buy wood products from Indonesia, Malaysia, Brazil, or Africa unless you know they come from eco-friendly suppliers. A good way to know if wood is rainforest-safe is if it has a "certification label." An example of a certification label is "FSC-certified," which means the wood comes from sustainably managed forests.
Learn more about rainforests and the plants and animals that live in them. Tell others why rainforests are important.
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People in developed countries stimulate the unsustainable harvesting of tropical timbers by demanding such
wood products. Try to buy wood products that come from sustainably managed stocks (having a legitimate seal of
approval) or non-rainforest woods. Though not as much of a problem now, in the 1980s people in developed countries
may have contributed indirectly to rainforest destruction by demanding cheap beef products (the "U.S.-Central
American connection") and livestock feed (the "Europe-Southeast Asia connection") in the form of cassava
grown on former forest lands. Be ecologically aware when you purchase products.
Support sustainably harvested forest products like nuts and natural dyes and the organizations that provide these
goods. Without consumer demand, these products will not be supplied.
Always try to reduce power and water usage. Americans use more resources per capita than any other group of people
on earth. Much of the electricity we use is fueled by the combustion of fossil fuels which add to global warming.
Recycle and reuse as many materials as possible.
Information
Many conservation and consumer groups maintain that lack of information is one of the greatest hindrances to
eco-friendly consumption. Stay informed and be aware of newly threatened areas and new developments in conservation methods, along with campaigns
against forest destroyers. Numerous resources exist on the internet and in print.
Travel
If you have the ability to travel abroad, practice eco-tourism and support only environmentally friendly travel
in areas that are environmentally sensitive. Just because a tour is advertised as "eco-tourism" it does not mean
that it is environmentally sound. Ask around and try to find those operators who are legitimate. When traveling,
try to be a responsible tourist and respect local customs.
Discourage the killing of endangered animals and rainforest species by refusing to buy products made up of or containing
such parts. Gently remind locals that it is illegal to kill such animals and say that you would rather see the colorful
macaws flying in the sky than having their feathers on your souvenir.
Action
Write to your government representatives and let them know how your feel about environmental issues. Express your
concern for the future of tropical rainforests.
Join a biodiversity conservation group or rainforest organization and support campaigns and boycotts against companies
responsible for reckless deforestation. If you resolve never to purchase goods from one of these firms, the company
loses tens of thousands of dollars of potential revenue over the course of a life time.
Small Steps to Reduce Energy Consumption
Review questions:
- How can I help save the rainforest?
[print version | spanish
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CONTENTS
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WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
INTERACT
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Recent news
Tropical ecologist: Australia must follow U.S. and EU in banning illegally logged wood
(02/09/2012) Australia should join the widening effort to stamp out illegal logging, according to testimony given this week by tropical ecologist William Laurance with James Cook University. Presenting before the Australian Senate's rural affairs committee, Laurance argued that the massive environmental and economic costs of illegal logging worldwide should press Australia to tighten regulations against importing illegally logged timber at home.
Majority of protected tropical forests "empty" due to hunting
(02/08/2012) Protected areas in the world's tropical rainforests are absolutely essential, but one cannot simply set up a new refuge and believe the work is done, according to a new paper in Bioscience. Unsustainable hunting and poaching is decimating tropical forest species in the Amazon, the Congo, Southeast Asia, and Oceana, leaving behind "empty forests," places largely devoid of any mammal, bird, or reptile over a few pounds. The loss of such species impacts the whole ecosystems, as plants lose seed dispersers and the food chain is unraveled.
New rainforest and indigenous reserve established in Peru
(02/07/2012) On February 4th, the Peruvian government and a small indigenous group created a new Amazon reserve, dubbed the Maijuna Reserve. Located in northeastern Peru, the 390,000 hectare (970,000 acres) reserve is larger than California's Yosemite National Park and over three times the size of Hong Kong.
Guyanese tribe maps Connecticut-sized rainforest for land rights
(02/07/2012) In a bid to gain legal recognition of their land, the indigenous Wapichan people have digitally mapped their customary rainforest land in Guyana over the past ten years. Covering 1.4 million hectares, about the size of Connecticut, the rainforest would be split between sustainable-use regions, sacred areas, and wildlife conservation according to a plan by the Wapichan tribe that will be released today. The plan says the tribe would preserve the forest from extractive industries.
Featured video: music in Madagascar to protest illegal logging
(01/22/2012) A new video highlights the plight of Madagascar's protected tropical forests, which are falling prey to illegal logging and foreign contractors. Featuring Razia Said, Malagasy singer and songwriter, the video shows concerts to raise awareness about illegal logging, especially near Maosala National Park.
More news on saving rainforests
More rainforest news
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