TROPICAL RAINFORESTS: Saving What Remains
Bolivia's commitment to the mitigation of carbon emissions
In December of 1996, the US and Bolivian governments agreed to protect 2.2 million acres (880 000 ha) of rainforest and to promote sustainable development in and around Noel Kempff Mercado National Park in part of an international effort to mitigate the emissions of greenhouse gases. The project is banking on the development of a global carbon-credit trading system. Scientists predict that this tract of forest may offset 15.8 million metric tons of carbon dioxide over the next 30 years.In the spirit of sustainable development, the program includes expanding of park boundaries; providing technical support to logging firms on low impact logging; establishing a genetic resources and ornamental plant and flower venture; and supporting an ecotourism which provides income to locals. The project is sponsored by American Electric Power (Columbus, Ohio), BP America, PacificCorp, the Nature Conservatory, and the Fundaciòn Amigos de la Naturaleza.
Similar projects are appearing around the world in an effort to meet goals established at Rio 1992 and Kyoto 1997 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
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