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Stop Exploitative Land Transformations in Mozambique
The Global Solidarity Forest Fund (GSFF), invested in among others by the ABP (a Dutch pensioners fund), the Swedish and Norwegian Lutheran church and the Diocese of Vasteras, has in recent years acquired large areas of land in northern Mozambique.
This land, which has already mainly been transformed to monoculture tree plantations, mainly consisting of alien Eucalyptus trees, has formerly been used by local small-scale farmers to grow local crops for livelihood.
Yet, subsequent to the planting of the alien trees by the GSFF, the local population has experienced a worsening of the water and food situation in their communities. Contrary to the promises by the Western investors, jobs are rare and not at all well-paid. This, in consequence means that, as local populations lost their valuable land, and as they also do not have sufficient employment opportunities, they are left struggling for food and water.
In general, large monoculture tree plantations are increasingly being criticized globally for their many negative impacts on the environment and peoples. By now, many experts believe that monoculture tree plantations have a negative impact on Climate Change, as the transformation of land and the cutting down of the indigenous trees and the planted trees cause CO2 to be released - accelerating the warming process.
Instead of planting up vast areas of fertile land with trees meant to satisfy the high demand of Western nations for paper and other wood-based products, diversified, organic small-scale farming, which benefit local communities should be primary projects initiated by development investments.
This petition aims at prevailing on the GSFF to immediately stop its investment in such exploitative and unethical land deals and transformations in Mozambique and any other African countries!
This land, which has already mainly been transformed to monoculture tree plantations, mainly consisting of alien Eucalyptus trees, has formerly been used by local small-scale farmers to grow local crops for livelihood.
Yet, subsequent to the planting of the alien trees by the GSFF, the local population has experienced a worsening of the water and food situation in their communities. Contrary to the promises by the Western investors, jobs are rare and not at all well-paid. This, in consequence means that, as local populations lost their valuable land, and as they also do not have sufficient employment opportunities, they are left struggling for food and water.
In general, large monoculture tree plantations are increasingly being criticized globally for their many negative impacts on the environment and peoples. By now, many experts believe that monoculture tree plantations have a negative impact on Climate Change, as the transformation of land and the cutting down of the indigenous trees and the planted trees cause CO2 to be released - accelerating the warming process.
Instead of planting up vast areas of fertile land with trees meant to satisfy the high demand of Western nations for paper and other wood-based products, diversified, organic small-scale farming, which benefit local communities should be primary projects initiated by development investments.
This petition aims at prevailing on the GSFF to immediately stop its investment in such exploitative and unethical land deals and transformations in Mozambique and any other African countries!
CLICK TO SIGN THE PETITION
For more information watch the Video:
“Exploitation by Afforestation – The GSFF in Mozambique
Visit GeoSphere's Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/GeaSphere or website http://www.geasphere.co.za for further information.
Also visit the World Rainforest Movement, a co-sponsor of the petition and a movement doing valuable work around forests / Plantations globally. http://www.wrm.org.uy
Also visit the World Rainforest Movement, a co-sponsor of the petition and a movement doing valuable work around forests / Plantations globally. http://www.wrm.org.uy
Original Petition as launched on 21 September 2011: http://mail.wrm.org.uy/countries/Mozambique/Urgent_call.pdf
Regards
Philip Owen
GeaSphere
