Save the Planet While You Improve Your Health With This Win-Win Idea

This article was written for us by TJ Kazunga, who used to run his own website called “Natural Health from the Rainforest.” It’s an excellent article that discusses saving the rain forest and biodiversity ~ Mike

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Let me ask you a question.

Do you ever specifically buy consumer products because your purchase will directly help preserve the Amazon rainforest, or even coral reefs in Indonesia? Wouldn’t you want to? Read on to find out how this marriage of commerce and conservation is beginning to become a reality…

I take it most people are familiar with the concept of fair-trade products — paying slightly more for products like coffee so that poor coffee farmers get a better (fairer) price for their coffee, rather than the miserly pittance they normally receive (recommended movie — “Black Gold” — make sure you watch it!)?

Well, something quite different is happening, something that has conservationists very excited because of its potential to help the planet. It’s called ‘biodiversity marketing’ and it’s coming to a supermarket near you.

Quite simply, biodiversity marketing rewards conservation. The principle arises from the following assumption — most people destroy their environment because of poverty.

If a poor person will benefit more economically by preserving their environment rather than destroying it then obviously they will preserve it. It’s a no-brainer really, but like many simple ideas, very powerful in its implications.

The acai (açai) berry to the rescue

The acai berry, a popular superfood that is taking the US and Europe by storm, seems to be proving the point. Progressive companies are selling açai berries that have been sustainably harvested — thereby helping preserve the rainforest at the same time.

You see, by selling this premium value acai, local communities have seen their incomes rise by over 40% in a few years, far outstripping what they could have earned from more destructive practices like slash and burn agriculture or illegal timber harvesting.

This has far reaching consequences — because, all of a sudden, people have a strong economic incentive to start preserving their forest, because it is worth more alive and well than it is chopped down.

In fact, the Amazon rainforest has an embarrassment of riches that can be harvested in this way — and companies and governments are finally beginning to smell the coffee and scramble onto the biodiversity marketing bandwagon!

It is estimated that biodiversity marketing can produce over $2,400 from one acre of Amazon rainforest for local communities and businesses. In comparison, clear cutting the forest for timber raises on average around $400 per acre, and chopping down the forest for cattle to make burgers earns a measly $60 per acre. If I was a business person I know where I would want to start investing!

And it’s not just in the amazing Amazon that biodiversity marketing can work either. It is helping preserve coral reefs in Indonesia and Malaysia and regenerate the little forest that remains in Ethiopia by selling sustainably harvested wild forest coffee. In fact, as businesses and conservationists begin to talk seriously with each other, instead of at each other, it appears the list of potential products is going to become very large indeed.

It seems funny to think that companies can start becoming the good guys — helping to preserve the environment and support local communities while making a profit at the same time. And no doubt for many people that will be too much to accept, but if that is what it takes for more people to start getting serious about conservation then bring it on!

The task facing our generation is too serious to let egos and preconceptions get in the way of possible solutions. Yes, we need to keep an eye on companies going down this route to ensure that they really deliver a conservation benefit, but let’s work with them to ensure that they get it right.

Biodiversity marketing is not the total solution, but it is one of the ways we can start making a difference. Let’s make sure we vote with our wallets, and reward those companies who are taking the step down this road — it could do a heck of a lot of good.

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Many thanks to TJ Kazunga for allowing me to publish his article.

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