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Pro-nature Organisations
Many international organisation have been active in defending the hotspots, such as:
· CI (Conservation International),
· CPEF (Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund)
· WWF (World Wildlife Fund)
· IUCN (World Conservation Union),
These groups support research activities, the creation of databases to catalogue species and they put pressure on governments to defend hotspots.
But, nowadays, it is impossible to think about protecting eco-systems without trying to critically re-evaluate market dynamics and local production. The frontline in the defence of KBA is the Fair Trade label.
An example? The Colombian group Green Gold, active in the field of sustainable development is fighting, together with CPEF, in various places to impose its certificate: this is a type of guarantee of fair trade and the “greenness” of the gold. Similar to what happens regarding coffee, tea and cocoa, in this case it means promoting the activity of small miners and local artisans rather than extraction by large companies; with all the ethical and ecological advantages this entails.
Small-scale mining produces a much lower environmental impact and allows the survival of the community, who are able to control the territory. Recently, Dutch and British jewellers hit the headlines by joining the Green Gold initiative, producing jewellery in “certified” gold. This metal comes from the Colombian districts of Condoto and Tadò, in one of the most blighted hotspots of the planet. Protecting bio-diversity doesn’t have to mean renouncing the attraction of gold: the Green Gold certified jewellery seems to be selling like hot cakes in Europe.
(09/06/2007)
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