The same friend who sent us the news of the GMO's in my previous blog sent this to us, also. I have been hearing so many say, "There is no deforestation of the rain forest. We shouldn't be concerned. It's being controlled." The content of this site should be read by everyone.
A B O U T
P A C H A M A M A
"In recent years concern over the destruction of the world's tropical rainforests has reached global proportions. Alarm about the extinction of species, the permanent loss of potentially life-saving medicinal plants, the irreversible damage to the delicate balance of the Earth's climate control system and the tragic disappearance of indigenous cultures has captured the attention of millions of people around the world.
Hundreds of organizations have formed and are doing important work addressing virtually every level of the problem. And yet, rainforests continue to fall, by some estimates at the rate of 10 million trees per day. Despite our best efforts, the disappearance of our tropical rainforests, like many other global economic, social and environmental crises, seems beyond our ability to control. Obviously something more is needed.
The destruction of the world's rainforests is driven by a complex web of social and economic forces, many of these a logical result of modern society's worldview -- a view that, although rich in technological insight, is often ignorant of the value of nature's apparently free and limitless services. It is a view guided by maximum short-term financial gain while disregarding the long-term costs of ecological degradation.
It is a worldview in which tropical forests can show up as a cash crop to be harvested rather than as an irreplaceable ecosystem to be protected. This is not, however, the only worldview. After centuries of living in harmony with their environment, indigenous cultures see things very differently. They are informed and guided by the knowledge and spirit imbedded in nature. Rather than viewing the natural world as a collection of separate elements from which humans are apart, they recognize all of creation as an interconnected web, and each of us as an integral element in this miraculous and fragile weave of life.
The Pachamama Alliance believes that our ability to meet the challenges that face humanity as we make the transition to the next millennium, depends on our ability to successfully combine the best elements of these two worldviews into a single global vision, an alloy that blends the intellectual and scientific prowess of the modern world, with the deep and ancient wisdom of traditional cultures. This is the commitment which underlies the work of The Pachamama Alliance...." Visit the site to read more.
Life on this planet is a delicate balance as the site discusses. The deforestation of the rainforests destroys or misplaces indigenious plants and animals, dangerously interrupting the natural cycle of life. Planting "other" trees, does not replace the life-long eco-system that preceded the new growth. That cannot be replaced. The local people are uprooted from their natural habitat and environment totally upsetting their culture, lifestyle, and heritage. If not taken care of, protected, and of concern to everyone, the demise of the natural environment in one place on Earth will eventually affect us all without exception.
Visit the site and become a member. The Earth is the only home we all have... Let's all take care of it together.
Live consciously aware,
Stephen
Help the Pachamama Alliance
"What affects them, eventually affects everyone!"
