• Welcome
  • Community
  • Blogs
  • Photos
  • Join
  • Log in
Follow MNN    
MNN - Mother Nature Network - Envrionmental News
improve your world
Friday, February 10, 2012
  • Earth Matters

    Browse All » Animals Weather Energy Politics Space Translating Uncle Sam Wilderness & Resources

  • Health

    Browse All » Allergies Fitness & Well-Being Healthy Spaces

  • Lifestyle

    Browse All » Arts & Culture Travel Natural Beauty & Fashion Recycling Responsible Living

  • GREEN TECH

    Browse All » Computers Gadgets & Electronics Research & Innovations Transportation

  • Eco-Biz & Money

    Browse All » Green Workplace Personal Finance Sustainable Business Practices

  • Food & Drink

    Browse All » Beverages Healthy Eating Recipes

  • Your Home

    Browse All » At Home Organic Farming & Gardening Remodeling & Design

  • family

    Browse All » Babies & Pregnancy Family Activities Pets Protection & Safety

Tweet
Pin It
Email Bookmark and ShareShare
WorldShares lets you earn donations for your favorite nonprofit. Earn up to 20 points now.
Learn More

Earn Points
What's this?
MNN.COM›

MNN BLOGGERS

Karl Burkart

REDD is urgently needed to save Indonesian forests...

But environmentalists point out potential dangers if avoided deforestation rules are not strengthened during climate talks in Copenhagen.

Fri, Oct 02 2009 at 2:29 AM EST

Photo: Sumatra Tiger Conservation Program
420,000 acres of pristine tropical rainforest in Sumatra, the home of several near-extinct species of Orangutans, Tigers and Elephants, is set to be cleared by Asia Pulp & Paper. The company does not have permission from the government and the government does not have the funds to do anything about it. 
 
It's tragic for many reasons -- species loss, water contamination, soil erosion, removal of indigenous settlements, loss of ecotourism opportunities, loss of anti-cancer compounds, and on and on. But of all those great losses, the one that will be on everyone's mind this December in Copenhagen is the almost incomprehensible impact that this one single act will have on the global climate.
 
This forest, called Bukit Tigapuluh, is one of the largest and most valuable carbon sinks on earth. It is estimated that a 100 megatons of CO2 will be released when this forest is downed, a full tenth of all of the CO2 savings put in place by the Kyoto protocol for the First Commitment Period (2008-2012). 
 
There is not doubt in anyone's mind that a mechanism needs to be put in place immediately to incentivize avoided deforestation. REDD, the main deforestation treaty currently being considered (Reduced Emissions from Deforestation & Degradation) is intended to put a stop to such global catastrophes, but many fear that it could do more damage than good if it is not strengthened in Copenhagen this December.
 
According to several activist groups, the current REDD treaty does not differentiate between established forests and timber plantations so, in essence, an illegal logger like Asia Pulp & Paper could actually end up being paid government monies from well-wishing northern countries to log the forests.
 
REDD, or some version of it, may decide the fate of the world's last rainforests so I'll be following closely the COP15 talks regarding avoided deforestation. We have to get his one right.
 
 

 

CLOSE link:
Previous Post
Earth Cinema's 'green netflix'
   Next Post
Amsterdam goes car-free for a day
You might also like:
Related Topics: Climate Policy, Climate Talks, Forests & Trees, Rainforest

Comments

Follow this conversation
Add your comment
View:
  • All (1)

anonymous
Nicholas Chapman 10/06/2009 09:09 AM

Its very clear all over the world that the UN has to fund the protection of all our rainforest's and there peoples immediately not in ten or five years time but now tomorrow. may god be with you and thanks for the article Enter your comments here

  • |
  • Reply
  • report this post 

Add your comment

Sign in with one of these accounts or just add your comment below.
    Log in or
    create an account
     
    Login
Used only for emailed comments and will not be displayed with your post
Notify me with an email when other people comment on this article.
The posting of advertisement, profanity or personal attacks is prohibited.
Click here to review our Terms of Use

tease to Komen flip-flop

tease to week in photos

tease to doghouses

Earn 100 points for signing up for a free iMeet trial now.
JOIN NOW
Sponsored by

ADVERTISEMENT

TOP MEMBERSJoin Now
  • poland.jr
    21026 points
  • ecomainegirl
    9398 points
  • achase
    9323 points
  • LauraB
    5049 points
  • Momof2
    4544 points
All members

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER

CONNECT WITH MNN

Follow @twitterapi
 Tumblr
 Google +
FROM OUR SPONSOR
PGi: Better for your business, better for the planet
#ShiftNYC Opens with a Dialogue on Social Enterprise
Trends show companies are making a shift to incorporate social good into... more >
Is there a telecommuting personality type?
Some individuals may be wired to succeed at working from home while others... more >
Know Your Travel Footprint
Try this handy carbon calculator to find out how your travel can impact the... more >
PGi Green Data Center
Cost Efficiency brings Environmental Savings more >
Victorious Green Interview with Morgan Carey
The following article describes his holistic, healing perspectives on... more >

ADVERTISEMENT



Quick Links

  • About Us
  • Advisory Board
  • Editors' Blog
  • Press
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
  • Terms of Service
  • WorldShares

MNN Tools

  • Advice
  • Blogs
  • Day in History
  • Eco-glossary
  • Infographics
  • Lists
  • Photos
  • Videos

Connect

  • Community
  • Contact Us
  • Contests
  • Idea Lab
  • Mixed Greens
  • Newsletters
  • Polls
  • RSS

Channels

  • Earth Matters
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • Green Tech
  • Eco-Biz & Money
  • Your Home
  • Family
  • State Reports
 

Copyright © 2012 MNN Holdings, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Website by GLICK INTERACTIVE | Powered by CIRRACORE
 
SPONSORS