In the Media
REDD: The Amazon’s carbon cowboys
February 02, 2012
Global Post
For many impoverished rainforest communities in Latin America, Africa and Asia, REDD — the effort to reduce carbon emissions by preventing deforestation — promises a rare shot at economic development. For others, it threatens to become yet another resource grab.
As governments struggle to pass laws to regulate the emerging markets in forest carbon, entrepreneurs are striking deals with indigenous groups in need of cash. Many come from reputable companies that ensure local people’s rights are protected. But in some cases, watchdog groups say that the local people are being duped into signing over their natural resources for empty promises.
The story of one attempt to lock up carbon rights near Iquitos, capital of Peru’s vast Amazonian region of Loreto, highlights the concerns about so-called carbon cowboys. Loreto, which covers a swath of land about the size of Montana — is home to a patchwork of indigenous ethnic groups speaking more than a dozen different languages. Some are already highly westernized, while others still live a traditional lifestyle in tiny communities many days’ travel from the bright lights of Iquitos.
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Keywords: Amazon, carbon, carbon cowboys, cowboys, Latin America, Peru, REDD