Corporate Social Responsibility Under Fire
As we all know, rainforest conservation and restoration are critical to life as we know it. It’s about carbon AND it’s about the delicate and vital web of life that we all depend upon.
Biodiversity encompasses the genetic variation within species, the variety and population abundance of species in an ecosystem, and the habitats across a landscape. In short, it means the web of life, which is all interconnected. Monitoring trends in biodiversity and ecosystem health helps us make informed decisions regarding resource management.
Earth’s ecosystems have evolved for millions of years. This process has resulted in diverse and complex biological communities, living in balance with their environment. These diverse ecosystems also provide people with food, fresh water, clean air, energy, medicine and recreation. Over the past 100 years, however, nature and the services it provides to humanity have been overexploited.
Life supports life itself. As we lose biodiversity, we lose the natural world and our life support systems. We depend on nature for everything. Scientists have warned us that human actions are pushing life on our planet toward a sixth mass extinction. Wildlife populations have already shown a rapid decline, on average by 58 percent since 1970. We are likely to lose 67 percent by the end of the decade. In addition to poaching, deforestation and human conflicts are serious threats to endangered species, including the tiger, orangutan, mountain gorilla, elephant and rhino.
Biodiversity is a critical part of sustainability, and the rainforests of the world have more endangered and threatened species of plants and animals than the rest of the world combined. If carbon dioxide emissions are our only barometer of sustainability, then the web of life will collapse (and our kids/grandkids will be caught in the squeeze). I’ve seen too many sustainability claims by corporations that don’t address biodiversity. As such, losers are allowed to look like corporate leaders.
Forest conservation and reforestation are two of the integrated solutions that must be employed to stabilize the wild populations. Saving wildlife habitat is critical to the survival of all species. The world needs more than concrete and palm oil plantations.
That’s why we’re working with several NGOs in Africa (Kenya and Tanzania) now to help reforest thousands of acres and conserve thousands more. We will plant millions of trees. An urban forestry component will help create weather barriers that can cut energy demands and the associated carbon emissions.
This project is not the silver bullet, but it’s a major step in the right direction. Once funded, we will plant millions of trees over the next five years. It will create jobs and help renew national pride (and conservation/sustainability). Please help us spread the word to potential funders. Please raise your hand if you have skills or expertise that can help assure success. The projects are shovel-ready now. Please visit www.SacredSeedlings.com/east-africa-projects
Crossbow is the founder of the Sacred Seedlings initiative. For more information, please contact Gary Chandler, our President and CEO gary@crossbowcommunications.com
