I explored some ideas in Editors Comment about how to save the rainforest in the June July 2023 issue – (How much money is needed to save the rainforest? ) and Oct Nov 2023 – (The rich can go a Iong way to saving the planet).
Researching for this article I came across the relatively new ‘The Earth Fund’ which was created by a commitment of $10 billion from Jeff Bezos founder of Amazon. After what appears to be relatively quiet start they have recently bounced into action timed to coincide with COP 28 in Dubai.
They announced – WASHINGTON, Dec. 7,2023 /PRNewswire/ – A new data dashboard launched today tracks the collective progress countries have made toward their commitment to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation this decade. The new platform – the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration Dashboard – was developed by the Bezos Earth Fund, Systems Change Lab, and the Forest Declaration Assessment Partners, and finds countries are falling woefully short of their commitments to end deforestation by 2030.
Recently published reports, including the Forest Declaration Assessment and the State of Climate Action 2023, find that deforestation increased by 4-7% between 2021 and 2022. The permanent loss of 5.8- 6.6 million hectares (Mha) of forest means that the world is far off course from halting deforestation by 2030. Global efforts to protect other ecosystems aren’t faring much better, with peatland degradation occurring across an area roughly the size of Kenya (57 Mha) and mangrove losses once again ticking upward.
The Earth Fund led by Bezos could be a starting point for serious collection of funds from rich individuals and Governments alike to go towards saving the Amazon and Congo Rainforest.
Referring to Fobes rich list: The United States still boasts the most billionaires, with 735 list members worth a collective $4.5 trillion. China (including Hong Kong and Macau) remains second, with 562 billionaires worth $2 trillion, followed by India, with 169 billionaires worth $675 billion. The amount of money in private hands is staggering. Just as the earth is staggering to a doomsday scenario.
If forest fires continue unabated in 2024 reforestation will never catch up. The earth as we know it could fail by as early as 2030.
Editor
Robin Peach
P.S.
Lula’s bid to style himself climate leader at Cop28 undermined by Opec move
Brazilian president’s plans to approve new fossil fuel projects sit awkwardly with pledge to meet 1.5C target.
Read this excellent article which in part relates to the Amazon by Jonathan Watts in the Guadian. (We will run in full in our Digital magazine Dec JANUARY 2024)
Next year we plan to attend the following shows:
Timber Processing & Energy Expo (TP&EE)
September 25-27, 2024, Portland, Oregon
Demo International 2024
September 19-21 Ottawa
FinnMETKO, Jamsa 29th – 31 August
KWF Tagung Schwarzenborn
19th – 22nd June
See you there!
