As the 2024 UN Summit of the Future approaches, we the citizens of this planet face an imminent call to action to safeguard our planet’s rainforest and wetland ecosystems. These vital and verdant ecosystems are teeming with life. All land-based lifeforms face unprecedented threat from deforestation and land-grabbing exploitation.
This is particularly driven by the palm oil industry, gold mining and precious mineral mining, meat agriculture and fossil fuel extraction. The rainforests are home to countless endangered species of animals and plants, as well as indigenous peoples whose ancestral lands are being ravaged. Once their lives are relegated to history we lose an immeasurable treasure. It’s time we take a stand to protect these priceless gems and to honour those who have protected these tropical regions for several millennia.
The Plight of the Rainforest
The rainforest is often referred to as the lungs of the Earth, playing a critical role in maintaining global biodiversity and climate stability. However, relentless deforestation, primarily for palm oil plantations, is pushing countless species to the brink of extinction. Thousands of species of reptiles, insects, birds, mammals and plant beings are losing their habitats at an alarming rate. Often they are disappearing before they are even discovered.
The Palm Oil Detectives website has long chronicled the devastating impacts of greenwashing, human rights abuses and deforestation associated with the palm oil industry. As a cash crop, palm oil is ubiquitous, found in 60% of everyday supermarket items from food to cleaning products to cosmetics. The price we humans pay for convenience and cheapness is the widespread destruction of some of the most biodiverse areas on the planet. By boycotting palm oil and supporting indigenous self-determination and agroecology, we can reduce demand and pressure on these precious ecosystems.
Indigenous Peoples: The Guardians of the Forest
Indigenous communities have lived in harmony with the rainforest for thousands of years. They possess an intimate knowledge of ecosystems, animal behaviour, medicinal plants, seasonal shifts and agroecological practices. They are not only the original inhabitants but also the most effective stewards of these lands. However, they face displacement and cultural erosion as their territories are encroached upon by logging, mining, and agricultural interests for palm oil, meat agriculture and gold mining.
In a recent article in the Ecologist by Professor Herbert Girardet, he highlights the importance of integrating indigenous wisdom into global conservation efforts. Traditional ecological knowledge can provide long-term solutions that modern science alone cannot achieve. Recognising and empowering indigenous rights is not just a moral imperative but a practical necessity for effective conservation.
The Role of the UN Summit
The upcoming UN Summit of the Future represents a critical opportunity to address these urgent issues on a global stage. The summit aims to forge an urgently overdue global consensus on tackling current and future problems through multilateral solutions. This includes a focus on sustainable development, effective environmental governance, and human rights.
Professor Herbert Girardet, in his article “Future – What Future?” published in “The Ecologist,” emphasises that the summit must address the long-term impacts of our actions and policies. He stresses that decisions made today affect not just the next century, but millennial and geological timescales. The summit must strive for a “global pact for the future” that incorporates ecological sustainability and fairness in world affairs.
Girardet points out that the Maastricht Principles on the Human Rights of Future Generations, which were developed in preparation for the summit, underscore the need to decouple human development from the destruction of nature. This principle is vital for ensuring that the rights of both present and future generations are upheld, and it is especially relevant for the protection of rainforests and their inhabitants.
What Can We Do?
- Boycott Palm Oil: Choose palm oil free products or that use certified sustainable palm oil. Support companies that are committed to zero deforestation policies.
- Boycott Gold: Gold mining is a serious existential threat to indigenous peoples in South America and also New Guinea where it is emerging as a growing industry.
- Support Indigenous Rights: Advocate for the recognition and protection of indigenous lands, cultures and practices. Support organisations that work directly with indigenous communities.
- Raise Awareness: Use social media and other platforms to spread the word about the importance of rainforest conservation and the threats posed by industries like palm oil. Learn how you can take action via Palm Oil Detectives.
Is 2024 the year for action on rainforests?
The rainforests and their inhabitants are at a critical juncture. The decisions we make today will determine the future of these vital ecosystems and the people who have protected them for generations. By boycotting palm oil, supporting indigenous rights, and advocating for stronger international protections, we can help ensure that rainforests continue to thrive for future generations. The 2024 UN Summit of the Future is a pivotal moment – let’s seize it to create a sustainable and just world for all.
For more information on the impact of palm oil and how you can help, visit the Palm Oil Detectives website.
Written by Athena, Palm Oil Detectives’ Founder. Palm Oil Detectives is a global collective of animal rights and indigenous rights advocates. Together we expose the devastating impacts of palm oil, gold and meat deforestation on wildlife and indigenous communities. The Palm Oil Detectives #Boycott4Wildlife movement empowers activists, scientists, conservationists and creatives worldwide to #BoycottPalmOil and advocate for genuine alternatives to ecocide.
References:
- Girardet, H. (2023). Future – what future?. The Ecologist.
- UN Maastricht Principles on the Human Rights of Future Generations. Retrieved from CIEL
- Guterres, A. (2022). End the Suicidal War Against Nature. Retrieved from UNRIC
