"Money does not grow on trees," as a popular saying goes. However, we know that there is money in trees. I am not talking about logging. Now the value of trees is not only measured when they are cut and felled; trees are now valued by maintaining and conserving them through the debt-for-nature swap.
There are two kinds of debt-for-nature swaps. One is bilateral swap wherein one country forgives a fraction of the debt of another country in favor of forest conservation or reduction of deforestation. Another kind is mediated and facilitated by a third party like non-government organizations to help broker the transaction between two countries.
One of the leading and active debt-for-nature swap policy is the 1998 Tropical Forest Conservation Act (TFCA) of the US. It is giving values to the trees when they are kept standing through the debt-for-nature debt swap between the US government and low and middle income countries. It would be noted that most tropical forests are found in low and middle income countries such as Costa Rica, Guatemala, Belize, the Philippines, Jamaica, Bangladesh, Panama, Indonesia, Botswana, Brazil, etc.. These countries have availed of the debt-for-nature swaps with the support and help of non-government organizations such as Nature Conservancy, World Wildlife Fund, and Conservation International.
One country is leading the way on the debt-for-nature swaps. Costa Rica is becoming a model and favorite recipient of this innovative method of helping financially developing countries and conserving biodiversity. Recently, Costa Rica received nearly $56 million in debt write-offs from TFCA and donations from Linden Trust for Conservation, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and the Walton Family Foundation. Costa Rica will use the money for expanding its forest and marine protection and conservation projects. Right now, the country has 25% of its national territory as protected areas. Costa Rica is on its way to meeting the Millennium Development Goals on biodiversity conservation in 2015. This achievement is another first for the army-less country of more than 4 million people and first in the developing countries to be on target of the MDG on environmental sustainability. (Click here to see how Costa Rica is leading the campaign to meet the MDGs by cutting military budgets and putting those savings on social services)
If Costa Rica could do it, then other countries with remaining forest cover yet threatened by deforestation can consider the debt-for-nature swaps. Let us urge our governments to try this.
Now, money is growing on trees. Let us keep our trees standing for us and the next generations.
Showing posts with label conservation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label conservation. Show all posts
Small Things I can do for our Mother Earth
After reading "Future Shock" by Alvin Toffler, I started to think of my role in the future of our world. It might sound messiahnic, but I was not thinking of saving the future for the world. I am thinking small ways on my own little world with my friends and relatives on how to avert the shocks of the future.
One of those shocks is happening now. Climate change. After years of neglecting the plight of environment, after decades of raping the environment, after centuries of sucking the life of environment, our generation is faced with the fruits of those acts. Technological advancement, rapid urbanization and industrialization, and climate change.
The documentary "The Inconvenient Truth" reminds each one of us that we have a role to play to salvage our mother earth from extinction and decay. In light of this, I list down what I could do as an individual. There is power in individuals that can make a dent and difference in the world.
1. Walk whenever I can while I can until I can. I do not want to burn more gases to be emitted in the air. I use the stairs instead of elevators. Or for others to join me in the elevator ride. I do not use it alone.
2. Conserve energy. I turn off unnecessary lights and home appliances.
3. Recycle, reuse, reduce. I do not accept more plastics to be used. I bring plastics/container everytime I go shopping. I buy in bulk as it reduces the number of garbage used for packaging.
4. Put things in a proper places including trash.
5. I do not use straw for my beverage.
6. I do not eat in a cafeteria or restaurant that uses styrofoam for their packaging, plastic cups, forks and spoons . I prefer eating in a plate, using aluminum fork and spoon, and glass.
7. I do not smoke. I also discourage others to smoke infront of me.
8. I live simply. This is one commitment that I have imposed upon myself.
I know you can also do your list. Try to do it and practice it regularly until it becomes a habit.
Goodluck!
Let us do something for our mother earth. She has been good to us; let us repay her with our goodness too. She cries for your action. Are you listening?
One of those shocks is happening now. Climate change. After years of neglecting the plight of environment, after decades of raping the environment, after centuries of sucking the life of environment, our generation is faced with the fruits of those acts. Technological advancement, rapid urbanization and industrialization, and climate change.
The documentary "The Inconvenient Truth" reminds each one of us that we have a role to play to salvage our mother earth from extinction and decay. In light of this, I list down what I could do as an individual. There is power in individuals that can make a dent and difference in the world.
1. Walk whenever I can while I can until I can. I do not want to burn more gases to be emitted in the air. I use the stairs instead of elevators. Or for others to join me in the elevator ride. I do not use it alone.
2. Conserve energy. I turn off unnecessary lights and home appliances.
3. Recycle, reuse, reduce. I do not accept more plastics to be used. I bring plastics/container everytime I go shopping. I buy in bulk as it reduces the number of garbage used for packaging.
4. Put things in a proper places including trash.
5. I do not use straw for my beverage.
6. I do not eat in a cafeteria or restaurant that uses styrofoam for their packaging, plastic cups, forks and spoons . I prefer eating in a plate, using aluminum fork and spoon, and glass.
7. I do not smoke. I also discourage others to smoke infront of me.
8. I live simply. This is one commitment that I have imposed upon myself.
I know you can also do your list. Try to do it and practice it regularly until it becomes a habit.
Goodluck!
Let us do something for our mother earth. She has been good to us; let us repay her with our goodness too. She cries for your action. Are you listening?
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