Despite a 2002 moratorium on new logging in the Democratic Republic of Congo, over 15 million hectares, or approximately 37 million acres of rainforest has been handed over for logging by Congolese village chiefs in the last 3 years. In exchange for "logging rights" many communities and villages were simply paid in sugar, salt, machetes and beer; even though the African teak contained in each tract can be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. The Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change compiled by British Economist Sir Nicholas Stern for the British government, estimates that 18 percent of greenhouse emissions are due to the effects of deforestation, which worldwide accounts for more than transportation emissions.
This is truely disturbing. Only the human race would destroy the Rainforest for things such as sugar, salt, and beer. I mean really people beer. Lets start using are heads shall we.
1 comment:
Matt, I think this is why it is so important to focus on educating everyone on this subject.
Unfortunately, in this case, I think the Logging Industry took advantage of the naivity of these villages. If they do not understand the implications of their actions, they will not be able to make wise decisions.
Also, I think a lot of people are still skeptical in a sense, but in my opinion, if there is any possibility that we are causing this Global Warming, we should make at least the minimal changes in our lifestyles to aid in creating a safer environment for our children.
Its kind of like not putting SPF on your children, because not everybody gets skin cancer from the sun. Wouldn't you want to avoid any possibility of them getting it if you could? Regarless of any statistics?
We should all play a part in protecting our environment and educating the world, I think, is the first step.
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