However, things can be done in Madagascar. Placing certain parts of the rainforest under protection and designating national parks helps to create conservation areas, and interest from the international community is essential. New agricultural techniques and education for all people on environmental issues should be promoted. It is also important that people are shown other ways, such as eco-tourism, in which they can both earn more money and protect the environment, as this would build up a conservation tradition. It is only through efforts like this that we will be able to save Madagascar’s rainforests and its incredible biodiversity.
These measures however are not possible without support from across the globe. There are three main approaches that can have huge impacts on a country and the world from outsiders and so cause a large anti-deforestation movement, forcing countries to take action. These measures are:
The Alternatives
Pressuring Companies and Markets
Large companies and corporations have the power to make or break many of the world’s most precious natural areas. They can make an impact by standing up for nature and cleaning up their supply chains, taking direct responsibility for deforestation and poaching supported by them. They can take zero deforestation and climate change measures, helping to provide a sustainable future. By setting targets they can make a large, sustainable statement to save the planet. Gibson Guitars must face up to its crimes and accept them and move on; only in this way will we ever be able to change the future of our planet.
But often large companies such as Gibson will not take action by themselves. An international public movement by consumers is usually the most useful method to make these companies change.
Pressuring Sustainable Consumer Options and Creating Public Interest
When a lot of consumers speak, companies tend to listen. By providing proper environmental education consumers can be encouraged to take positive actions such as supporting brands with a zero deforestation policy, buying organic, recycled and environmentally-friendly products, and encourage others to do the same. Public interest in pressuring large companies that engage in deforestation by measures such as boycotts and protests are also very effective.
Changing the Politics
We urgently need international governments and law-makers to take action against deforestation. By working to stop corrupt governments and helping governments to make the best environmental decisions depending on their economic, social and political situations is extremely important and the international community should be pushed to make this a priority.