“I know some people feel that to bring rainforest down to the level of harsh economic logic is to diminish their special role in the planet’s health and people’s well-being. Sadly, global evidence does not support this point of view.

For decades, people have sought to deal with forestry protection through philanthropy and well meaning conservation attempts. This has played a critical role in biodiversity preservation and knowledge gathering in some areas.

But, ultimately, these approaches have been unsuccessful, because they have not stopped us from losing or degrading half of the world’s tropical forest in the last 40 years.”
PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo said Monday that most deforestation in the world today is caused by individuals, companies and communities pursuing legitimate social and economic goals

Several Cabinet members standing in support with President Jagdeo during Guyana’s ambitious and historic launch of its Climate Change Strategy at the Guyana International Conference Centre on Monday. (Adrian Narine photo)

Speaking when he unveiled the Guyana Low Carbon Development Strategy at the Guyana International Conference Centre, in Greater Georgetown, he said the wanton practice is perpetrated not by illegal loggers.

“It is also the African mother who needs charcoal to cook for her children, the Asian farmer who produces palm oil to earn money and the South American soya business person who provides employment for thousands,” the Head of State pointed out.

He explained that these people cannot be expected to voluntarily give up their livelihood so that countries in Europe, North America and elsewhere can deal with pollution.

Mr. Jagdeo told the gathering, including Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, other Cabinet Ministers, Opposition parliamentarians, members of the Diplomatic Corps and other stakeholders, that deforestation can be addressed in the long term through the production of economic employment alternatives in rainforest countries.

This, he advocated, must be done on a scale that out competes the current drivers of deforestation while reiterating the position that has been the core of Guyana’s vision since it started lobbying for some effective deals at Copenhagen, Denmark, in December.

GLOBAL EVIDENCE
President Jagdeo said: “I know some people feel that to bring rainforest down to the level of harsh economic logic is to diminish their special role in the planet’s health and people’s well-being. Sadly, global evidence does not support this point of view.

President Jagdeo during his presentation on Monday

“For decades, people have sought to deal with forestry protection through philanthropy and well meaning conservation attempts. This has played a critical role in biodiversity preservation and knowledge gathering in some areas.

“But, ultimately, these approaches have been unsuccessful, because they have not stopped us from losing or degrading half of the world’s tropical forest in the last 40 years.”

He argued that, even if some may wish that economic incentives were not necessary to save forests, the fact remains that the emerging carbon market provides Guyana with a historic opportunity to use the global economy to save the world’s rainforests, by putting a value on them.

However, Mr. Jagdeo said, though this opportunity is welcomed, it will only become reality if both rainforest countries and the rest of the international community act in oneness on this issue.

He contended, too, that important steps have to be taken in this regard, one being the international community needs to address deforestation within the climate agreement to replace the Koyoto Protocol of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

“This will require proper incorporation of incentives to reduce and avoid deforestation within the reduced emissions from deforestation and degradation mechanisms, commonly known as REDD,” President Jagdeo said.

Secondly, he proposed that the new climate regime must establish REDD on the scale required, where forest payments are not only included within the post Copenhagen agreement but are also capable of generating the amount of finances needed to out compete the current international drivers of deforestation.

Lastly, Mr. Jagdeo said any REDD proposal must attract and sustain the support of the people of rainforest nations, including those who live in and depend on the forest.