Global Actions to Protect the Tropical Rainforest
- Concerns about the rapid deforestation of tropical rainforests have led to a range of sustainable management strategies
- Strategies can be on an international, national or local level
International strategies
- UN Forum on Forests was established in 2000 and is committed to the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests
- Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD) is a strategy launched by the UN
- It aims to ensure the protection and sustainable management of forests
- Funded by developed countries and transnational corporations to offset their carbon emissions
- The UN Sustainable Development Goals include the sustainable management of forests
- International treaties protect certain areas such as the Central Amazon Conservation Complex (CACC) which is a World Heritage Site. This means hunting, logging, fishing and access are limited
- Trade restrictions on endangered species and timber have been imposed
- The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species
- The International Tropical Timber Agreement (ITTA) promotes sustainable forest management and restricts the trade in rainforest hardwood timber
- The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) approves wood from sustainable sources
- Debt reduction - countries are relieved of some of the debt in return for protecting rainforests
- Debt for nature swap - In 2010 the USA converted US$13.5 million of debt from Brazil into a fund to support the protection of the rainforest
- International organisations such as Greenpeace and WWF monitor deforestation
- All strategies to protect the tropical rainforest have both advantages and disadvantages
Advantages and Disadvantages of Global Actions
| Strategy | Advantages |
Disadvantages |
| CITES |
184 countries have signed up to CITES which means that it has influence in many countries It covers over 35,000 listed species of plant and animal Many successes including the reduction of ivory trading, the increased population of the vicuna |
It is not possible to monitor all countries and so they may not abide by the rules even though they are signed up Illegal trade has continued and. many animals are not protected by CITES Countries are rarely sanctioned and if they are they can simply leave CITES |
| REDD |
Financial incentives (cash or carbon credits) are used to encourage countries to protect forest areas Tackles climate change Involves local communities |
There is no clear definition of what a 'forest' is Corruption and fraud is an issue Ownership of the forests is not always clear |
Worked example
Explain two global actions which help to protect the rainforest
(4 marks)
Answer:
- CITES / Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora stops animal trade (1) which helps protect endangered species (1)
- REDD / Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation provides funding / payments (1) which results in forest being set aside / protected (1)
- Other possibilities may include RAMSAR (mangrove), some UNESCO sites, G7/20/other global governance actions, ITTA (timber agreement)
