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#forest conservation
hope-for-the-planet · 11 months
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“This is a monumental win for forests, for wildlife, for climate, and for the hard-working people who have spent countless hours surveying for endangered species, preparing evidence for court cases, lobbying, and campaigning. Some have been fighting for this for over three decades.”
 (Chris Schuringa, Victorian Forest Alliance)
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reasonsforhope · 7 months
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Lomwé and Macua communities in Mozambique’s Zambezia province traditionally harvest wild mushrooms to eat alongside staples like cassava. Conservationists are working with hundreds of indigenous women there to commercialize the sale of mushrooms like the vivid orange Eyukuli (Cantharellus platyphyllus) as part of a wider strategy to protect forests surrounding Gilé National Park.
The mushrooms are harvested in a 55,600-hectare (137,400-acre) buffer zone surrounding the national park during the height of the Southern African country’s wet season, from November to April. After harvesting, the fungi are cleaned, dried, and transported by road to Maputo, the capital, more than 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) away. There, they’re packaged and sold under the trade name Supa Mama.
This is the first time that native Mozambican mushrooms have been commercialized in the country.
Gilé covers an area of 286,100 hectares (707,000 acres), much of this covered in miombo woodlands that include tree species, like those from the Brachystegia genus, whose roots host mycorrhizal fungi. These underground networks help the trees absorb nutrients and moisture, and announce their presence in the form of diverse fruiting bodies above the ground: mushrooms.
Providing an economic incentive to protect the trees could be key to leaving them standing while promoting the wild mushroom harvest, says Alessandro Fusari...
Communities living around Gilé harvest at least 46 species of mushroom for local consumption. These include eyukuli, the trumpet-shaped khaduve (Lactifluus edulis), and the broad-capped namapele (Lactarius densifolius). So far, a total of five species are being harvested and packed for commercial sale under the project.
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Pictured: Cantharellus platyphyllus (called Eyukuli in Lomwé) is one of 46 wild mushroom species Indigenous women harvest.
“Slowly, the community, especially the women, are learning that keeping the trees standing means having a bigger production of mushrooms,” Fusari tells Mongabay. “Since they’re starting to see commercial results, more and more avoid cutting trees.”
The project, which is supported by the French Development Agency, is in its third year, meaning the team doesn’t yet have the hard data to determine its success. But, Fusari says, the reduction in tree cutting “is a clear trend that is happening.”
Mushroom harvesting around Gilé is typically done by women while out doing other tasks, such as gathering firewood. The mushroom project works with 900 or so members of 30 women’s groups drawn from communities living in the national park’s buffer zone.
Gilé National Park is home to animals that include buffalo, wildebeest, sable, waterbuck, and around 50 elephants. Many of these animals were reintroduced from other areas to rebuild the wildlife wiped out during Mozambique’s 1977-1992 civil war.
...Giving commercial value to something normally only collected for subsistence is part of a wider program to promote sustainable agriculture...
The teams collecting mushrooms have already been trained in sustainable harvesting methods. For instance, they cut rather than pull the mushrooms from the ground, to avoid damaging the mycelium, or root-like structure, beneath the surface; they brush the dirt off the mushrooms wherever they pick them, to leave as many spores there as possible; and the women carry their harvest home in open baskets, to allow spore dispersal along the way.
-via Good News Network, October 14, 2023. Based on reporting by Mongabay News, September 1, 2023.
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t0rschlusspan1k · 4 months
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29.12.2023 | Petitions for the environment and climate change.
Please read, share wherever you can, talk about them and if you can afford it, please, please, please donate - consider taking up a collection among your friends.
Actions.eko.com: Nestlé and P&G: Stop setting Indonesia’s rainforests on fire
Indonesia’s forests are burning – a thick toxic haze suffocates half of the country, keeping children out of school and forcing people and animals to relocate. But it didn’t happen by accident and we know who the arsonists are. Together, we will hold them accountable. Nestlé and Procter & Gamble are doing business with rogue palm oil and paper producers who recklessly burn precious rainforests to the ground to expand their monocultures, steal Indigenous lands, and drive orangutans, rhinos, and elephants closer to the brink of extinction. (keep reading)
Rainforest Action Network - RAN: This one is for donating, they need 100,00$ by December 31!
We urgently need your help to fight for the world's last rainforests in 2024 by making any size donation today. Those who believe they can change the world are the ones that do. Donate now.
Help us challenge mega-corporations like Liberty Mutual, Bank of America, Procter & Gamble, Nestlé and Mondelēz. Their thirst for endless profits contributes to the widespread destruction of irreplaceable rainforests like the Leuser Ecosystem of North Sumatra and the Amazon rainforest and fuels the expansion of dangerous fossil fuel projects that choke the life out of the planet. For a small organization, RAN's significant impact is only possible because of dedicated supporters like YOU. Your generous donation today makes a world of difference.
Rainforest Rescue: DRC: Do not sacrifice Congo's rainforests to the oil industry!
The DRC government in Kinshasa is nearing a point of no return: President Tshisekedi wants to sacrifice vast areas of Congo rainforest and peatland for oil. This would be an unmitigated disaster for the climate, biodiversity and local people. Together with our African partner organizations, we can put a stop to these plans. The rainforests of the Congo Basin are home to millions of people and countless animal and plant species, including chimpanzees, bonobos and gorillas. They are a treasure trove of biodiversity and crucial to the fight against climate change. Despite this, the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) began auctioning 27 oil and 3 gas blocks in late July. The blocks cover some of the last remaining intact forests on Earth. Three of the blocks overlap the Cuvette Centrale peatlands, which are estimated to store 30 billion tons of carbon, the equivalent to one years’ worth of global emissions. The peatlands are so vast and remote that little is known about the biodiversity at stake there. Nine oil blocks overlap protected areas. More than half of the Congo Basin's peatlands and 60 percent of its rainforest are in the DRC, the country plays a key role in the fight against the climate crisis. The science is clear: the governments of the world must cut carbon emissions in half within the next eight years. In his speech at the UN's COP26 conference in Glasgow, President Tshisekedi promoted the vital role of the Congo Basin forests in regulating the global climate and his intention to enhance DRC’s energy mix by "combining several types of energy: biomass, hydro, solar." The cost of not doing so, he said, would be a climate crisis. The world cannot afford any further expansion of oil and gas. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), an immediate end to new investment in fossil fuel supply projects is the first step to keep global warming below 1.5°C and achieve global net zero emissions by 2050. In an alliance of environmentalists from Africa and around the world, we want to keep the oil in the ground and the fossil fuel industry out of the Congo Basin. Please sign our joint petition!
DR Congo: Stop the destruction by miners and loggers in Tshopo!
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is home to the second largest area of rainforest on Earth. Defending it is crucial to the fight against climate change and the extinction crisis. Yet miners are polluting rivers and loggers clearing forests in Tshopo province. In the small town of Basoko, local people are fighting back. The people of the small town of Basoko fear for their health and livelihoods: the Aruwimi River, a tributary of the Congo, has been polluted ever since the Chinese mining company Xiang Jiang Mining began dredging for gold there. Some species of fish have disappeared completely. Skin diseases are on the rise. "We say NO to mining in Aruwimi, which is destroying our ecosystem in an anarchic way," states a memorandum to the county government read during a demonstration. On March 11, 2022, residents of the region protested on land and with boats against the trashing of their environment. Mining is not the only threat to nature in Tshopo province: companies such as FODECO, Congo Futur and SOFORMA are reportedly logging at a breakneck pace near Basoko. "They are systematically plundering the forests without any benefit to local people," says Jean-François Mombia Atuku, chairman of the environmental protection organization RIAO-RDC. "Anyone who demands accountability is silenced," he said, adding that workers are "kept like slaves" in the forest. "Human rights are not relevant for these companies." The grievances regarding mining have been heard in the capital Kinshasa: In January 2022, Environment Minister Eve Bazaiba called on Xiang Jiang Mining to cease operations by February 25, 2022. However, nothing has changed since then – the company is still operating, apparently unimpressed. "What we need now is international pressure," says Jean-François Mombia Atuku. It must be brought to bear on President Tshisekedi, who positioned his country as a heavyweight in the fight against the climate crisis during the COP26 climate conference. It’s time to apply that international pressure – please sign our petition.
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fettfleisch · 2 years
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© Soeren Baptism
@soerenbaptism (instagram)
www soerenbaptism com for more
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So I found this petition to help protect forests that you can sign here, you can also get to it through the optional chapter in Monument Valley 2.
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fliegenengel · 2 years
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feel free to reblog
© Soeren Baptism
@soerenbaptism (instagram)
www soerenbaptism com for more
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forestduck · 2 years
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natura-est-sacellum · 2 years
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UFO (Unidentified Fungal Object) Part II: the Re-Funganing
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Citizen Scientists Preserve the Heart of Saskatoon: The Battle for the Swales
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intlforestday · 5 months
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Promote the conservation, protection and restoration of forests by Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and Local Communities (LCs).
This week, UNFFS Director Ms. Juliette Biao attended the first Conference of the Forests and Communities Initiative (FCI) in Monaco. The FCI is the result of a partnership between the Prince Albert of Monaco Foundation, IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law, International Ranger Federation, Global Forest Coalition and International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity to promote the conservation, protection and restoration of forests by Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and Local Communities (LCs).
The conference brought together roughly 100 participants from all over the world, including strong representation of IPs and LCs, with the aim of connecting actors, fostering discussions, sharing lessons learned and supporting communities of practice around forest conservation. The event consisted of a series of panels and fireside chats on relevant themes, including the use of Rights-based and Gender-Just approaches, the role of environmental law, as well as national and international funding and governance frameworks.
Ms. Biao was invited by Dr. Christina Voigt, Chair of the IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law, to comment on the UN’s policy and legal frameworks pertaining to IPs, and the engagement of IPs and LCs in the UNFF’s work and deliberations, including though participation in the Indigenous Peoples Major Group. The discussion further addressed the need for inclusive legislation as it relates to forest conservation, and highlighted good practices and lessons learned from around the world.
Ms. Biao took the opportunity of meeting His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco to extend an invitation to UNFF19 in May 2024, which was accepted.
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budandtender · 7 months
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Reviving the Hemp Revolution: A Strategic Plan to Conserve Our Forests
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The Unexplored Potential of Cannabis in Forestry Conservation
In an era of escalating environmental concerns, it is imperative to explore sustainable alternatives for resource-intensive industries. One such promising solution lies in the towering cannabis plant strains that can reach tree-like heights of 20 feet or more within a single growing season. This remarkable growth rate presents a significant opportunity to alleviate the strain on our forests by reducing the demand for lumber.
Rediscovering Hemp's Role in Papermaking
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One of the most transformative uses of cannabis lies in the manufacturing of paper. Historically, hemp "hurds" – constituting 77 percent of the hemp stalk's weight – were considered waste from the fibre-stripping process. However, with advancements in technology and a shift towards sustainability, these hurds have become the cornerstone of a new papermaking process.
USDA Bulletin No. 404: A Forgotten Beacon of Sustainability
In 1916, USDA Bulletin No. 404 presented a compelling case for the use of cannabis hemp in paper production. It reported that one acre of cannabis hemp, in annual rotation over a 20-year period, could produce as much pulp for paper as 4.1 acres of trees harvested over the same period. This equates to four times the pulp output with significantly less pollution.
The Environmental Benefits of Hemp Pulp Paper
The hemp papermaking process reduces environmental impact in several ways. Firstly, it uses only 1/7 to 1/4 as many sulfur-based acid chemicals to break down lignin, a glue-like substance that binds the fibres of the pulp. Secondly, unlike wood pulp papermaking, the hemp process doesn't require chlorine bleach, thereby eliminating the problem of dioxin contamination in rivers. Instead, it uses safer hydrogen peroxide in the bleaching process.
The Modern Technological Revolution in Hemp Processing
The full potential of hemp pulp paper hinges on the development and engineering of new machines capable of efficiently stripping hemp. The integration of modern technology in hemp processing could significantly reduce demand for lumber, consequently lowering housing costs and contributing to re-oxygenation of the planet.
Hemp Pulp Paper: A Viable Replacement for Wood Pulp Paper
If the hemp pulp paper process were legally and widely adopted today, it could replace about 70 percent of all wood pulp paper. This includes computer printout paper, corrugated boxes, and paper bags. Not only is hemp pulp paper stronger and more flexible than its wood pulp counterpart, but its production also poses less environmental harm.
Conclusion: The Path Towards a Sustainable Future with Hemp
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In conclusion, reviving the hemp revolution presents a strategic plan to conserve our forests. By embracing hemp as an alternative to wood pulp, we can reduce deforestation, mitigate pollution, and promote sustainable practices in the paper industry. The potential benefits of this shift are immense, warranting serious consideration and action from policymakers, industry leaders, and consumers alike.
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reasonsforhope · 2 months
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"A century of gradual reforestation across the American East and Southeast has kept the region cooler than it otherwise would have become, a new study shows.
The pioneering study of progress shows how the last 25 years of accelerated reforestation around the world might significantly pay off in the second half of the 21st century.
Using a variety of calculative methods and estimations based on satellite and temperature data from weather stations, the authors determined that forests in the eastern United States cool the land surface by 1.8 – 3.6°F annually compared to nearby grasslands and croplands, with the strongest effect seen in summer, when cooling amounts to 3.6 – 9°F.
The younger the forest, the more this cooling effect was detected, with forest trees between 20 and 40 years old offering the coolest temperatures underneath.
“The reforestation has been remarkable and we have shown this has translated into the surrounding air temperature,” Mallory Barnes, an environmental scientist at Indiana University who led the research, told The Guardian.
“Moving forward, we need to think about tree planting not just as a way to absorb carbon dioxide but also the cooling effects in adapting for climate change, to help cities be resilient against these very hot temperatures.”
The cooling of the land surface affected the air near ground level as well, with a stepwise reduction in heat linked to reductions in near-surface air temps.
“Analyses of historical land cover and air temperature trends showed that the cooling benefits of reforestation extend across the landscape,” the authors write. “Locations surrounded by reforestation were up to 1.8°F cooler than neighboring locations that did not undergo land cover change, and areas dominated by regrowing forests were associated with cooling temperature trends in much of the Eastern United States.”
By the 1930s, forest cover loss in the eastern states like the Carolinas and Mississippi had stopped, as the descendants of European settlers moved in greater and greater numbers into cities and marginal agricultural land was abandoned.
The Civilian Conservation Corps undertook large replanting efforts of forests that had been cleared, and this is believed to be what is causing the lower average temperatures observed in the study data.
However, the authors note that other causes, like more sophisticated crop irrigation and increases in airborne pollutants that block incoming sunlight, may have also contributed to the lowering of temperatures over time. They also note that tree planting might not always produce this effect, such as in the boreal zone where increases in trees are linked with increases in humidity that way raise average temperatures."
-via Good News Network, February 20, 2024
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kp777 · 9 months
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Reuters
Aug. 2, 2023
BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Wednesday said that next week's summit of Amazon region nations will seek to draw up a common policy for the first time to protect the rainforest. "I have high expectations for this summit. For the first time we are going to have a common policy for the Amazon, for preservation, security, borders," Lula said. The eight countries of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) will meet Aug. 7-8 in the city of Belem at the mouth of the Amazon river. The summit will focus on forest conservation and security along the borders, Lula said, adding that private businesses will be asked to help with the reforestation of 30 million hectares of degraded land. "We are going to discuss with the business sector a policy for the reforestation of 30 million hectares of degraded land with trees that can be used by furniture industries," he said. ACTO was created in 1978 to promote the preservation of the Amazon basin and regulate Amazonian development through cooperation. Its members are Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.
Reporting by Lisandra Paraguassu; Editing by Mark Porter and Aurora Ellis
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banglakhobor · 9 months
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সীমান্ত থেকে ১০০ কিমি পর্যন্ত সংরক্ষিত বনভূমি নিধনে সায়! অরণ্যের অধিকার আইনে সংশোধন, পাস হল বিল
নয়াদিল্লি: লোকসভায় পাস হয়েছিল আগেই। এবার রাজ্যসভাতেওপাস হয়ে গেল বন সংরক্ষণ সংশোধনী বিল। বুধবার সংসদের উচ্চ কক্ষে পাস হয়েছে বিলটি। এর আওতায় দেশের সীমান্ত থেকে ১০০ কিলোমিটার ভিতর পর্যন্ত অরণ্যভূমিতে নির্মাণের অনুমোদন রয়েছে। সেখানে রাস্তা, রেস্তরাঁ, এবং অন্য নির্মাণও করা যাবে বলে প্রস্তাব রয়েছে বিলটিতে (Forest Conservation)। আবার প্রতিরক্ষা সংক্রান্ত পরিকাঠামো গড়ে তোলার জন্যও বাড়তি জমি ব্যবহারের…
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wachinyeya · 1 month
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CA Redwoods to Be First National Park Co-Managed with a Native American Tribe That Used to Own it https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/ca-redwoods-to-be-the-first-national-park-co-managed-with-a-native-american-tribe-that-used-to-own-it/
questionable headline aside this is good news
The Yurok will be the first Tribal nation to co-manage land with the National Park Service under a historic memorandum of understanding signed on Tuesday by the tribe, Redwood national and state parks, and the non-profit Save the Redwoods League, according to news reports.
The Yurok tribe has seen a wave of successes in recent years, successfully campaigning for the removal of a series of dams on the Klamath River, where salmon once ran up to their territory, and with the signing of a new memorandum of understanding, the Yurok are set to reclaim more of what was theirs.
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