Mission 2006
A project to characterize and monitor the Amazon Basin rainforest,
and devise practical strategies to ensure its preservation.
20.10.02
Re the question of whether and how non-Brazilian organizations can
donate money to the preservation of Amazonian rainforest.
http://forests.org/recent/2000/30mplant.htm
As of May 2000, the Global Environment Facility raised $30 million, with
the intent of preserving 10% of the Amazon rainforest over the next 10 years.
The money came from the 30 governments which were a part of the GEF.
The World Bank is serving as an intermediary.
Reportedly, the Brazilian Government added around $18 million to this total.
This expresses a willingness on Brazil’s side not only to accept outside
help and funding in rainforest conservation, but a willingness to contribute
to plans already under way. The World Wildlife Fund added 5 million
to this.
All told, the project is expected to cost $270 million.
http://www.brazilnetwork.org/enviro_intro.htm
The Pilot Programme to Protect the Tropical Forests of Brazil (PPG7).
By mid 2000, this had spent over US$240 million on 400+ projects concerning
forests of South America.
http://www-wds.worldbank.org/servlet/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2002/06/01/000094946_02051704110396/Rendered/INDEX/multi0page.txt
Project was approved by the World Bank during the first week of October.
Basically, it seems that there are massive projects already in the works,
which may run into financial trouble. This project, at least, requires
the collaboration of numerous organizations, not least of which include IBAMA,
for the funding and implementation etc. There are many obvious points
where this could fall down. This project would need examination, and
evaluation, to decide whether it is a decent vehicle for Mission’s own goals.
http://216.239.33.100/search?q=cache:NmsU72B8pvsC:www.pachamama.org/about/2000-pachamama-alliance-tax-return.pdf+direct+funding+of+rainforest+preservation&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
The substance of this is irrelevant. The point is that multiple organizations,
both within Ecuador and based in the United States, gave funds directly to
the Pachamama Alliance. That this is reported on Pachamama’s tax form
implies that this is entirely above board. It is unlikely that Brazil
would have an appreciably different view on outside funding of Brazilian-based
environmental groups.
One idea this form does bring up is the donation of non cash grants.
That is, equipment. Manpower and other non-concrete commodities would
likely fall under this same general heading of non-cash, however this would
take a different route. Some companies may be more amenable to donating
products, rather than cash. This should be looked into.
17.10.02
Brief history of environmentalism and the government in
Brazil:
While a military dictatorship from 1964-84, Brazil did make moves towards
being more environmentally friendly.
In the mid 1970s, Jose Lutzenberger, an ecologist and agronomist led the
first protests against World Bank financing of mining/hydroelectric/agricultural
projects in Brazil. He won the Right Livelihood Award, and as of 1990
was the Brazilian environmental secretary.
"When we noticed that a significant part of the forest degradation was caused
by multinational companies and financed by the multilateral development banks
with money from the First World taxpayers, we realized that it was necessary
to make them aware of the problem."
He founded the Association for the Protection of the Natural Environment
of Rio Grande do Sul (AGAPAN) in 1971. This replaced the 1958 Brazilian
Federation for Nature Conservancy (FBCN), a mainly conservationist organization.
The 1972 UN conference led to SEMA, the Brazilian National Government Agency,
to be founded in 1974. Under Paulo Nogueira Neto it began as
“three employees… in two rooms” but managed to survive under administrations.
It began the Ecological Station Program, setting up 21 stations monitoring
the biodiversity of 7 million acres.
In 1984 this was all abandoned, as SEMA became a part of the Ministry of
Habitation, rendering it useless and causing Neto to resign.
1982 marked the first popular elections. Environmental concerns were
a large influence. In 1986 Fabio Feldmann, president of OIKOS, the
Union for the Defense of the Earth, became the first deputy to congress elected
on an entirely environmentalist platform.
Under his leadership the Green Front was formed. This was a subset
of 80 congressional members, who together managed to put through many beneficial
environmental policies.
“The applicability of the constitution will depend on the pressure that the
civilian society places on the government.”
1989 marked the beginning of IBAMA. This was also the first major attempt
at enforcement. For example, IBAMA enforced the 1965 code on replanting
after logging. Unfortunately, attempts to arrest those illegally burning
the forest resulted in the death of two officers. IBAMA lacked sufficient
resources for full enforcement.
Other factors indicate an interest in the environment, or at least point
towards a tendency for popular support. A 1989 poll by the advertising
firm Standard, Ogilvy and Mather found that only salary concerns outweighed
the publics concern over deforestation.
Manchete, a Brazilian TV network, listed first in ratings after premiering
“Pantanal,” an environmentally centered soap opera.
Over all, the environment was more of a fad than anything, without the public
ever becoming mobilized.
Local environmental organizations continue to play a significant role, especially
in dealing with local problems.
While a military dictatorship from 1964-84, Brazil did make moves towards
being more environmentally friendly.
In the mid 1970s, Jose Lutzenberger, an ecologist and agronomist led the
first protests against World Bank financing of mining/hydroelectric/agricultural
projects in Brazil.
"When we noticed that a significant part of the
forest degredation was caused by multinational companies and financed by
the multilateral developement banks with money from the First World taxpayers,
we realized that it was neccessary to make them aware of the problem."
18.9.02 1312
The remaining three members of the group formerly known as Legal and Political
(2) are in the process of being integrated into group 1, the Public Relations
Group.
Previously, Legal and Political were defining the 'A.' Generally, the
idea was to break issues down into the broad categories of 'legal' and 'political.'
Unfortunately, foreward movement has been made impossible, until tomorrow,
when group 2 finally merges with group 1, and redefines the parameters.
Special note: Sting wrote a book about the rain forest, back in 1989.
(?)
Personal Site of Tara Diduch: diduch@mit.edu
Visit the MIT website: web.mit.edu