<
https://theconversation.com/amazon-deforestation-cut-by-83-in-places-protected-by-indigenous-communities-new-research-234433>
"Although deforestation rates in the Brazilian Amazon have halved, it is still
losing more than 5,000km² every year. That’s an area three times larger than
Greater London.
By combining satellite imagery for the entire Amazon region with data from the
Brazilian national census, our new study found that deforestation in areas
protected by Indigenous communities was up to 83% lower compared to unprotected
areas. These results show that Indigenous communities can play an important
environmental stewardship role by helping to prevent deforestation by people
encroaching on their lands.
However, our results also show that Indigenous communities had the lowest
levels of socioeconomic development. Incomes in Indigenous territories were up
to 36% lower compared to other land uses.
Indigenous people are among the most disadvantaged groups of people in the
world. Although Indigenous communities in Brazil have strengthened their
political representation in recent years, 33% of people living below the
poverty line are Indigenous.
Improving the economic wellbeing of Indigenous people is not only the socially
just thing to do but can also be environmentally effective. Research in Nepal
showed that communities with higher levels of socioeconomic development are
less likely to trade off development with deforestation. Providing communities
with the ability to protect and conserve their local forests and develop
economically can be a win-win for both people and the environment."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
