WWF - Noticias en Amazonía

Es necesario y posible un diálogo con la sociedad sobre el potencial hidroeléctrico de la Amazonia

2013-05-16

WWF presenta una herramienta de planificación integrada de la conservación que permite evaluar los impactos acumulativos de las obras de infraestructura.

Este jueves, 16 de mayo, WWF presentará una visión ecológica de la cuenca del río Tapajós, en un evento organizado en Foz de Iguazú por la web Planeta Sustentável y por la Editora Abril, y que girará en torno a los temas de los negocios, la energía y el ambiente.
A partir de la cuestión «Hidroeléctricas en la Amazonia: ¿es posible establecer un diálogo?», Pedro Bara, líder de la Estrategia de Infraestructura de la Iniciativa Amazonia Viva del WWF, fomentará el debate en torno a la necesidad de construir una visión compartida de las cuencas amazónicas que van a ver desarrollarse grandes proyectos hidroeléctricos y mineros.

«WWF viene defendiendo la tesis de la planificación integrada de la región y ha propuesto un debate nacional sólido sobre la Amazonia que queremos conservar en el futuro. Eso implica definir qué ríos preservar antes de que la acumulación de los impactos de numerosos proyectos hidroeléctricos y mineros, tratados de forma aislada, genere un impacto socioambiental de proporciones potencialmente desastrosas», concluye Pedro Bara.

Dicha visión se ha construido a partir del desarrollo de una estructura analítica en torno a un sistema de información hidrológica para analizar los ríos amazónicos (HIS-ARA, por sus siglas en inglés), que integra datos ecológicos e hidrológicos con el fin de crear una visión de conservación de los ecosistemas terrestres y acuáticos en la región.

La visión ecológica es un paso importante hacia una visión socioambiental de la cuenca del río Tapajós, no solo para evaluar hasta qué punto el programa hidroeléctrico puede poner en peligro el futuro de esa cuenca (es decir, su impacto acumulativo y sinérgico), sino también para construir una visión integrada del desarrollo regional, en que otros sectores, como la minería, han de someterse a ese mismo enfoque.
Si se alcanza ese objetivo compartido, será posible mitigar los conflictos y maximizar las oportunidades de los proyectos que, consensuados de manera transparente y participativa, pueden contribuir a un futuro sostenible y próspero de la cuenca del Tapajós.

«La aplicación de la ciencia mediante herramientas de apoyo a la toma de decisiones enriquece y estimula el diálogo social en torno a los programas de grandes inversiones en la Amazonia, teniendo como referencia una visión del futuro. Este es el objetivo de nuestro trabajo al presentar una visión de conservación de la cuenca del Tapajós», explica Maria Cecília Wey de Brito, secretaria general del WWF Brasil.
Resulta esencial involucrar a la sociedad y promover un debate sólido en torno a los intereses, las necesidades y la urgencia de implementar grandes proyectos de infraestructura en zonas conservadas de la Amazonia, pues las consecuencias afectarán a todos.
Para ello, un primer paso es la difusión pública de los informes elaborados por el Grupo Estratégico de Seguimiento de Emprendimientos Energéticos Estructurantes, creado en 2010 por la orden ministerial n.º 494, firmada por los ministros brasileños de Minas y Energía y de Medio Ambiente, «para analizar los aspectos ambientales y socioeconómicos de los estudios de planificación energética, con el fin de apoyar la selección de proyectos de explotación hidroeléctrica». Un segundo paso importante es la realización de consultas públicas y debates para permitir la participación de la sociedad en la construcción de un modelo de desarrollo sostenible para la Amazonia, que garantice la viabilidad ecológica del bioma y que sea socialmente justo.

Impactos acumulativos

El WWF ha desarrollado una visión ecológica para la Amazonia y, a partir de ella, ha elaborado la herramienta de análisis de los impactos de las obras de infraestructura para servir de apoyo a la planificación y la toma de decisiones. Dicha herramienta permite identificar las áreas críticas para la biodiversidad y la necesidad de mantener la conectividad entre los ríos para garantizar la integridad de la red hídrica y de los ecosistemas acuáticos. Además, también tiene en cuenta el funcionamiento de los sistemas ecológicos y el territorio social y cultural en todo el territorio de una cuenca hidrográfica.

En el caso de la cuenca hidrográfica del río Tapajós, que representa casi el 6 % del territorio brasileño y tiene una gran importancia ecológica, paisajística y cultural, y de potencial hidroeléctrico, están prevista la construcción de 42 hidroeléctricas de diversos tamaños. Solo en el denominado Complejo Tapajós, serían siete plantas, incluyendo las dos megacentrales hidroeléctricas de São Luiz y Jatobá. El represamiento de otros dos ríos libres en la Amazonia, Tapajós y Jamanxin, inundará una superficie aproximada de 2500 km2 y fragmentará ecosistemas de importancia ecológica, cultural y social. Entre sus impactos sociales se cuentan las repercusiones que tendrá sobre el territorio indígena Munduruku, en que viven más de 10 000 indios.

Dialogue with society on the hydroelectric potential of the Amazon is both feasible and necessary

2013-05-16

WWF presents an integrated conservation planning tool capable of assessing the cumulative impacts of infrastructure works.

Next Thursday (May 16) WWF will present its ecological vision for the Tapajos river basin at an event in Foz de Iguaçu organised by the Sustainable Planet site and the Editora Abril publishers on the theme of Business, Energy and Environment.

Addressing the question 'Hydroelectric plants in the Amazon: is dialogue possible?', Pedro Bara, leader of the WWF Living Amazon Initiative's Infrastructure Strategy, will stimulate the discussions on the need to construct a widely-shared common vision for those Amazonian river basins that are the site of large-scale mining and hydroelectric projects.

"WWF has been defending the thesis of integrated planning for the region and proposing that there should be a qualified debate in the national sphere regarding what kind of the Amazon we wish to preserve in the future. That means defining which rivers are to be preserved before the accumulated effects of the innumerable hydroelectric and mining projects, which so far have always been analysed individually, create environmental impacts that could be really disastrous", concluded Pedro Bara.

The vision was constructed on the basis of an analytical structure known as the Hydrological Information System and Amazon River Assessment –HIS-ARA designed to integrate hydrological and ecological information to obtain a regional-scale vision of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem conservation.

This overall ecological vision is an important step towards obtaining a socio-environmental vision of the Tapajos river basin not just in terms how much the hydroelectric energy programme is going to jeopardise the future of the Tapajos basin (that is, its cumulative and synergic effects), but also towards constructing an integrated vision of regional development whereby other sectors like mining will be approached in the same way.

If the shared objective is achieved it will be possible to mitigate conflicts and boost opportunities associated to those projects that are decided on in a participative and transparent manner and are capable of contributing towards a sustainable and prosperous future for the Tapajos basin.

"The application of science in the form of tools that support decision making qualifies and streamlines the dialogues associated to large-scale investment programmes in the Amazon that have a vision of the future as their reference framework. That is the reason for our efforts to produce and present the future we envisage for the conservation of the Tapajos basin", explains WWF-Brazil CEO Maria Cecilia Wey de Brito.

Involving society and stimulating a well qualified debate on the interests, need and urgency associated to the implantation of large-scale infrastructure projects in conserved areas of the Amazon is indispensible, insofar as the consequences are liable to affect everyone.

The first step to achieving that end is to widely publicise the reports produced by the Strategic Group for Accompanying Energy Infrastructure Ventures (Acompanhamento de Empreendimentos Energéticos Estruturantes), created in 2010 by Inter-ministerial Decree no 494, signed by the Ministries of Mines and Energy and of the Environment for the purpose of "analysing environmental and socio-economic aspects of energy planning studies with a view to providing supporting information for the process of selecting hydroelectric energy exploitation proposals". A second important step aims, by holding public consultations and debates , to ensure the participation of society at large in the construction of a sustainable development model for the Amazon that is socially just and at the same time capable of guaranteeing the biome's economic and ecological viability.

Cumulative Impacts
WWF has developed an ecological vision for the Amazon, and based on it, a tool for analysing the impacts of infrastructure projects and supporting planning and decision making processes using an approach that makes it feasible to identify critical areas for biodiversity and for the maintenance of connectivity among the rivers to ensure the integrity of the hydrological networks and the aquatic ecosystems. The same tool takes into consideration the functioning of the ecological systems and all the social and cultural territories in the entire river basin area.

In the specific case of the Tapajos River basin, which actually occupies 6% of Brazilian territory and is highly relevant in scenic, cultural, ecological and hydro energy terms, 42 hydroelectric plants of varying dimensions are planned to be installed. The so-called Tapajos Complex alone will consist of seven plants, two of which, the Sao Luiz and Jatoba dams, will be mega-installations. The damming of two more free-flowing rivers in the Amazon, the Tapajos River and the Jamanxim River will flood an estimated 2,500 km2 of land and fragment ecologically, culturally and socially important ecosystems. Among the major social impacts, it will affect the Munduruku Indigenous Lands, home to over 10 thousand indigenous people.

Keeping an eye on deforestation

2013-05-06

The Brazilian Amazon Fund will be providing 23 million Brazilian reals to the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organisation (ACTO) to support a project for monitoring deforestation in other countries of the Amazon region. The decision, announced on Friday, 3 May, inaugurates the Amazon Fund's support for other countries with tropical forests.

The Amazon Fund is a tool to promote reduction of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon, defined under leadership of the Ministry of Environment. It is funded mostly by Norwegian resources, with contributions also from Germany and other countries, and is managed by Brazil's National Social and Economic Development Bank (Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social - BNDES). Part of the fund can be used to collaborate on forest monitoring outside the Brazilian Amazon.

The ACTO Amazon Region Forest Cover Monitoring Project has the support of the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Environment. The National Space Research Institute (Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais - INPE) will also participate in the project providing training and forest cover monitoring technology.

The 60-month project will support all the ACTO member countries except Brazil - Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela - with initiatives for structuring and implementing observation rooms, providing access to forest cover monitoring technology, elaborating national monitoring plans and improving, harmonizing and standardizing their institutional capability to conduct surveillance of land use changes.

Brazil's interest and possible support for developing deforestation and land use change monitoring capacity in other Amazon countries had already been announced by Environment Minister Izabella Teixeira at the Rio+20 Conference in 2012, and on other recent public events. The environment minister has also emphasized the willingness to collaborate further with other conservation and sustainable development actions, including in protected areas.

With this latest approval, the Amazon Fund now has a portfolio of 37 projects receiving support to the amount of 462.8 million Brazilian reals in the bid to curb deforestation and stimulate sustainable development in the Amazon, including support to ARPA – the Brazilian Amazon Region Protected Areas Programme. ARPA counts now also with a new initiative called ARPA for Life, co-led by WWF, to raise more funds for one of the most successful in situ conservation projects in the world.

Lessons learned

In the last 10 years, Brazilian deforestation rates have been falling due to the multi-institutional and higher level engagement of the national government in areas such as land use planning - mostly creation and strengthening of protected areas - control and patrolling, and promotion of sustainable economic activities.

Nevertheless, the deforestation pattern in Brazil seems to keep evolving toward greater dispersion and smaller areas, requiring improvements of monitoring technology. But, the future is uncertain, because the policies have not been embedded in mainstream government policies in sectors such as hydropower, finance, mining, forest economy, transportation, and agriculture and ranching. Moreover, other countries still need to benefit from a consistent program to understand and monitor deforestation in their portions of the Amazon.

Unfortunately, the tendency of deforestation rates in other Amazon countries is of growth. It seems that in the Andean-Amazon countries there are tendencies of demographic and economic movement from the Andes mountains toward the lowlands of the Amazon. Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia have been facing an increase in deforestation due to different social and economic drivers, the dynamics of which are still not completely clear.

In the case of Colombia and Ecuador, the major drivers of deforestation are probably the increase in cattle ranching and plantations, even though they are on a smaller scale individually. Small and larger scale ranching and farming seem also to be crucial elements in Bolivia. Gold and other mining, as well as transportation, and energy (oil and dams), seem to be behind the deforestation tendencies in Peruvian and Ecuadorean Amazon. The trends in Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana, although relatively small, also seem to be increasing.

"Deforestation tendencies of the Andean Amazon countries together indicate that deforestation is probably increasing, due to demographic and economic movements toward their Amazon areas. There is a need to increase cooperation between Brazil and other Amazon countries in order to exchange technology, experiences and lessons learned," explained Claudio Maretti, WWF Living Amazon Initiative.

"The support Brazil gives to ACTO and other countries is a good beginning. We should understand that monitoring is the first stage, but with that we have to promote awareness and support policy and markets decisions. Those fronts need to continue, and in some cases be strengthened in Brazil, and clearly need to be established or strengthened in the other Amazon countries," concluded Maretti.

(With information from the Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social – BNDES)

Bibo, the star at the INMA Awards

2013-05-03

The INMA Awards were announced last night in New York City.
The campaign that was conceived by WWF Colombia and El Espectador, as a means of raising awareness of the importance of forests and the goods and services provided by them, has been recognized as one of the three best marketing campaigns in the world.
BIBO also took first place in the three categories in which it was nominated.

May 1st, 2013. Bibo, a commitment for a better living, campaign led by WWF Colombia and El Espectador, one of the main newspapers in Colombia, was among the star attractions in the INMA awards, winning in all of the categories in which it was nominated, and taking the bronze in the prestigious "Best in Show" award, representing one of the three best campaigns in the INMA Awards 2013 competition. Bibo was one of the most awarded campaigns of the night.

The BIBO Campaign, nominated in the categories of:

•Public Relations and community service,
•Marketing solutions for advertising clients, and
•Sales Retention and advertising

competed with candidates from around the world including Kenya, India, Belgium, Australia and the United States. BIBO carried the gold medal for all three categories. Moreover, the campaign was the only Spanish-speaking participant of this year´s INMA. More than 300 media executives from around the world were on hand at the awards dinner held at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square.

The INMA Awards has recognized the world's best marketing campaigns produced by media companies from all over the world for 78 years. The awards, which are given each year by the International Association of Media Marketing, are equivalent to the Cannes in publicity. The INMA Awards competition generated more than 500 entries from nearly 150 market-leading news media companies in 30 countries. This year´s competition was judged by a global panel of 21 executives in the media and advertising communities from 14 countries: Belgium, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Germany, India, Pakistan, Peru, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and United States. Judging was based on concept, creativity, copy, design, production, effectiveness, and results.

A campaign that made history

Bibo, a commitment for a better living was born three years ago as a campaign to raise awareness and understanding in the general public of the value and benefits derived from forest goods and services for our daily well-being. Conceived as a long-term campaign that each year will be focusing on a different aspect of forest ecosystems, the campaign uses different platforms and media strategies to spread the message. In this way, together with partners, notably the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MADS), WWF Colombia provides the technical direction on content, scope and key topics to be developed and how, communications advice and supports the creativity strategy.

In its first year 2011, the campaign laid the foundation with general information on forests and an overview of the goods and services provided. In 2012, the integral relationship of water and forest ecosystems was the focal theme that ran through all campaign elements. The campaign built a unified communication concept and created several pieces. Youth and child audiences were involved through animated characters with the star River Otter that, through an interactive and collectable album, presented the responsible use of water.

After each campaign period, a results survey showed stunning success. The 2012 closure survey conducted in the four major cities of Colombia (Cali, Medellin, Bogota and Barranquilla) showed that 98% of respondents found the campaign to be attractive, while 97% considered it useful and 94% creative. In addition, 94% of the respondents claimed to have increased their awareness on the sustainable use of water. Today, with the INMA awards recognition, the campaign consolidates as one of the best ever done in Colombia.

For Mary Lou Higgins, Director of WWF Colombia, "These awards demonstrate how working in partnership we can effectively get out the message of the importance of nature for our health and well-being and to promote more sustainable lifestyles across the population. This recognition reveals that it is through partnerships that best practices can come alive. We are honored to be joining forces with such a visionary media partner."

COMING SOON!! Bibo's third phase will turn its attention to Renewable Energy and its relation to forest ecosystems.

Bibo, una de las tres mejores campañas del mundo

2013-05-03

• Fue seleccionada entre 500 postulaciones de 30 países y 150 periódicos del mundo.
• La campaña fue concebida por WWF Colombia y comenzará de nuevo en 2013 con su tercera etapa.
• El proyecto fue el único en español que participó en la competencia y ganó por su creatividad, diseño, eficacia y resultados.

02 de mayo de 2013. El proyecto Bibo fue destacado como una de las tres mejores campañas del mundo, junto a propuestas de India y Noruega, por la Asociación Internacional de Marketing de Medios - Inma, en una ceremonia de gala en Nueva York. Además, ganó en las tres categorías en la que estuvo nominado: mejor iniciativa de relaciones públicas y servicio comunitario, mejor solución de 'marketing' para anunciantes y mejor estrategia de venta de publicidad.

La campaña, liderada por WWF Colombia en asocio con El Espectador y con la participación del Ministerio de Ambiente, busca preservar los bosques, teniendo en cuenta que cada año en Colombia se pierden 300.000 hectáreas, es decir un área similar al departamento de Risaralda. El reconocimiento se dio por la gestión realizada en 2012 que incluyó la realización de un álbum interactivo, una exposición itinerante, un concurso en la web, un premio empresarial y una campaña masiva de toma de conciencia sobre la importancia de estos ecosistemas.

Para Mary Lou Higgins, directora del Programa Subregional Amazonas Norte & Chocó-Darién de WWF Colombia, "estos premios demuestran que trabajar en asocio nos permite difundir el mensaje de la importancia de la naturaleza para la salud, el bienestar y la promoción de estilos de vida más sostenibles para la población. Este reconocimiento pone de manifiesto que es a través del trabajo mancomunado que las mejores prácticas pueden cobrar vida y hoy tenemos el honor de unir esfuerzos con un socio tan visionario como El Espectador".

Bosques, agua y energía

Este año, Bibo estrena su tercera etapa con un innovador enfoque educativo y publicitario que busca crear conciencia sobre la importancia de las energías alternativas y la relación de los bosques con el agua. "Tendremos materiales didácticos, como afiches y una aplicación para Facebook, además de una campaña de alto impacto", dijo Elva Lucía Daza, gerente de mercadeo relacional de El Espectador. Además se refirió a la trascendencia de este reconocimiento: "Estos premios son como los Cannes de la publicidad, pero para la prensa del mundo. Esto significa que BIBO está a la vanguardia gracias a una próspera alianza con WWF."

Reciben el premio Marcela Moreno, gerente de mercadeo de El Espectador y Eduardo Garcés, gerente general de El Espectador. Los acompaña Yasmin Namini, Presidente Junta Directiva INMA.
Los Premios INMA, reconocen cada año a las mejores campañas de marketing del mundo producido por grupos de comunicación.
Los reconocimientos se entregan desde hace 78 años y en 2013 tuvo como jurado un panel global de 21 ejecutivos de los medios y la de publicidad de países como Bélgica, Canadá, Chile, Dinamarca, Alemania, India y Estados Unidos.

Una campaña que hace historia

Con el liderazgo de WWF y El Espectador, la campaña Bibo es el esfuerzo más grande en Colombia a favor de la preservación de los bosques y su visión es continuar haciéndolo hasta completar 8 versiones. Año a año se abordarán los diferentes servicios ecosistémicos que los bosques entregan todos los días: la regulación del agua y el clima, la captura de carbono, la madera, el turismo, etc.

Así, en 2011, y durante su primer año, Bibo se centró en el panorama general los bosques, mientras en 2012, la campaña estuvo centrada en la relación de los bosques con la regulación de la oferta hídrica. Para ello, utilizó diferentes plataformas y estrategias de comunicación logrando alta aceptación por parte del público. En un estudio realizado en Cali, Medellín, Bogotá y Barranquilla, el 98% de los entrevistados confirmaron que les pareció atractiva, el 97% la consideró útil y el 94% consideró haber adquirido una mayor conciencia para hacer un uso sostenible del agua.
Respecto a la versión de 2011, el conocimiento sobre los bosques y/o el agua aumentó del 70% al 89%, mientras que la adquisición de conciencia pasó del 80% al 94%, y la motivación para tomar acciones subió del 67% al 97%, lo cual indica la necesidad de continuar con este esfuerzo.

Mejorando la protección del bosque Amazónico en Ecuador

2013-05-02

Grandes esfuerzos serán implementados en favor de la conservación y protección del Bosque Amazónico en Ecuador

El corredor ecológico entre los Parques Nacionales Llanganates y Sangay, ganará más apoyo en los esfuerzos de conservación a través de un proyecto que lo ejecutará WWF, con un aporte financiero propio y del Instituto Interamericano de Cooperación para la Agricultura (IICA). Esta iniciativa a implementarse durante 18 meses a partir de abril de 2013, contribuirá a la restauración de los bosques en las zonas degradadas del corredor ecológico, mediante sistemas agroforestales sostenibles. El Ministerio del Ambiente (MAE), a través del Programa Socio Bosque y la Dirección Nacional Forestal, constituirán aliados estratégicos en los procesos de restauración.

WWF jugó un papel trascendental en la creación del corredor en el año 2002, ya que junto a Fundación Natura (Ecuador), impulsó la realización de diversos estudios biológicos y sociales que permitieron la identificación del corredor y su posterior reconocimiento internacional como un "Regalo a la Tierra". El apoyo de los gobiernos y pobladores locales de Baños, Mera, Palora y Pastaza, fue determinante para la creación del corredor. Adicionalmente, desde 2010, WWF desarrolla en la zona del corredor el proyecto SCAPES (Sustainable Conservation Approaches in Priority EcosystemS), que busca reducir los efectos sinérgicos de las principales amenazas a la conservación de los ecosistemas de montaña de la Cordillera Real Oriental y reducen su capacidad para enfrentar el cambio climático.

El área del corredor llega a 41.517 hectáreas y está en jurisdicción territorial de cinco parroquias: Río Verde y Río Negro (cantón Baños, provincia del Tungurahua); Mera y La Shell (cantón Mera, provincia de Pastaza); y, Cumandá (cantón Palora, provincia de Morona Santiago). El corredor tiene un papel importante para la biodiversidad, ya que une los dos parques nacionales, lo que permite la dispersión de plantas y animales entre ellos. De igual manera, en el corredor se encuentran valiosas fuentes de agua que permiten abastecer a poblaciones andinas y amazónicas, sustentar actividades agropecuarias y generar hidroelectricidad. Los hermosos paisajes y atracciones turísticas del corredor, han sido aprovechados por los pobladores locales para dinamizar la economía de la región.

"Con el desarrollo del proyecto de restauración, se espera que 22.000 nuevas plantas –entre forestales y frutales de especies nativas- cubran áreas degradadas de las fincas de alrededor de un centenar de familias campesinas, entre estas familias indígenas de las nacionalidades Kichwa y shuar. Esta estrategia de manejo forestal está también direccionada a estimular la producción local con responsabilidad ambiental", destacó Jorge Rivas, Oficial Senior de Conservación, WWF Ecuador.

Otros actores beneficiaros del proyecto constituirán los Gobiernos Locales y Grupos Productivos Campesinos, con quienes se desarrollará diversos procesos de capacitación, abordando temáticas que apoyen a la conservación de los servicios ambientales del corredor y a la generación de medidas de adaptación al Cambio Climático.

Participación Social

Así mismo y desde ya, el corredor cuenta con el apoyo de un espacio de relacionamiento interinstitucional denominado "Grupo de Amigos del Corredor Ecológico Llanganates-Sangay", dicha red está ansiosa por la aplicación de estrategias que permitan continuar manteniendo el reconocimiento del corredor ecológico, como un Regalo a la Tierra como una herramienta importante para defender y mejorar el desarrollo sostenible de la zona. Este grupo está conformado por 16 actores locales -entre instituciones gubernamentales, no gubernamentales y privados- y en conjunto se han propuesto desarrollar un plan estratégico del corredor, promocionar actividades económicas sostenibles y apoyar la restauración de áreas degradadas.

"Es positivo ver que muchos líderes, mujeres y hombres, siguen reivindicando, organizándose, proponiendo, solicitando y realizando muchas acciones para el buen futuro de su desarrollo sostenible. Se confirma que hidroeléctricas, ganadería productiva o no, son importantes amenazas en muchas partes de la Amazonia, incluyendo la cuenca andino-amazónica ecuatoriana. Por esto es necesario movilización para que los intereses de las comunidades locales y de la naturaleza sean considerados adecuadamente por los gobiernos", dijo Claudio Maretti, líder de la Iniciativa Amazonía Viva.

Improving forest protection in Ecuatorian Amazon

2013-05-02

Great efforts will be implemented for the conservation and protection of the Amazonian Forest in Ecuador

The ecological corridor between the Llanganates and Sangay National Parks will benefit from increased support for conservation efforts through a project to be undertaken by the WWF, financed from its own resources as well as from funds provided by the Interamerican Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA). This project, scheduled to last 18 months, will get underway in April 2013. It will contribute to restoring the woodlands located in the degraded areas in the ecological corridor by introducing sustainable agro-forestry systems. The Ministry of Environment, through the Socio Bosque Program and the National Forest Directorate, will be a strategic partner in the various schemes for rehabilitating the targeted areas.

WWF played a crucial role in the creation of the Corridor in 2002, while the Natura Foundation (Ecuador) was instrumental in encouraging a variety of biological and social studies to be undertaken. The latter led to the corridor being identified, and to its subsequent acknowledgement internationally as a "Gift to the Earth". The support provided by the local governments and people of Baños, Mera, Palora and Pastaza, proved to be essential in the creation of the Corridor.

The Ecological Corridor covers a total of 41.517 hectares within the territorial jurisdiction of five parishes: Río Verde and Río Negro (in the Baños canton, Tungurahua Province); Mera and La Shell (Mera canton, Pastaza Province); and Cumandá (Palora canton, Morona Santiago Province). The Corridor makes an important contribution to biodiversity given that it serves as a link between the national parks, thereby aiding the dissemination of plant and animal life between them. Valuable hydrographic resources also exist in the corridor which provide water for Andean and Amazonian people alike, as well as generating hydro-electricity and underpinning agricultural activities. Local people have taken advantage of the stunning landscapes and touristic attractions of the corridor to breathe life into the regional economy.

"It is expected that as a result of the restoration project 22.000 new plants - native forest and fruit species - will cover the degraded areas on the smallholdings of around 100 rural families, including those from the Kichwa and Shuar indian tribes. This particular forest management strategy also aims to boost environmentally responsible local production", stated Jorge Rivas, Senior Conservation officer, WWF Ecuador.

Other beneficiaries of the project will be the Local Governments and Farmers´ Producer Groups, which will be offered a range of training programs focused on topics of importance to preserving the environmental services of the Corridor as well as generating ways of adapting to Climate Change.

Social Engagement

The Corridor also benefits from the support provided by an inter-institutional social media site known as the "Group of Friends of the Llanganates-Sangay Ecological Corridor". The main concern of members of this group is to apply strategies which will ensure continued recognition of the ecological corridor as a "Gift to the Earth" and as a key tool for protecting and improving the sustainable development of the región. The Group of Friends, consisting of 16 local practitioners - including local government agencies, NGOs and private institutions - is committed to preparing a strategic plan for the Ecological Corridor, to promoting sustainable economic activities and to providing support for the restoration of the degraded areas so far identified.

According to Claudio Maretti, leader of the Living Amazon Initiative "It is a positively welcome sign that so many people in positions of leadership, both men and women, continue to make their opinions known, organizing themselves, proposing solutions, demanding and undertaking a wide range of actions to secure a better future for sustainable development. It can certainly be seen that hydroelectric dams and cattle-ranching (whether productive or not), are major threats to many parts of the Amazon Region, including the Andean-Amazon river basin in Ecuador. For these reasons mobilization is urgently called for so that the interests of local communities and the natural environment are taken into proper account by governments".

Bolivia Presents the Conservation Plan for the Pink River Dolphin

2013-03-01

The presentation of the "National Plan for the Conservation of Bufeo Boliviano - Inia boliviensis 2012-2016" this February 27 2013, is an achievement and an incentive to conserve the species. This plan aims to include actions of different priority levels and areas as well as the implementation of coordinated actions.

La Paz, Bolivia - On Wednesday, 27 February 2013, the Ministry of Environment and Water (MMAyA) of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, presented the "National Plan for the Conservation of the Bolivian River Dolphin - Inia boliviensis 2012-2016".

The Plan is the culmination of a series of events that started in 2006, when genetic studies (Martinez Aguero, et al), showed that the Bolivian pink river dolphin (Bufeo) is a species of river dolphin different from the known one and separated from its closest relative, the Inia geoffrensis. Starting that time, the interest on the species and the actions of the national government increased, particularly the interest of MMAyA and environmental secretariats of Beni and Santa Cruz, research institutions, conservation organizations and local actors.

In 2009 the MMAyA publishes "The Red Book of Threatened Vertebrate Fauna of Bolivia" highlighting progresses in the protection of endangered species in the country. Among the species at risk of extinction, the dolphin appears as Vulnerable (VU), mainly from exposure to changes in the aquatic environment caused by pollution and by the construction of hydroelectric dams.

In 2010, the Ministry of Environment, Biodiversity, Climate Change and Forest Development and Management, MMAyA subordinated, through the General Directorate of Biodiversity and Protected Areas (DGB-AP) develops the Strategy for the Conservation of Wildlife Threatened Vertebrates from Bolivia. The strategy is a conservation framework for vulnerable and endangered species from The Red Book and identifies action plans for each species as tools for their conservation.

In September 2012 the Plurinational State of Bolivia enacted Law 284, declared the Bufeo as "Natural Heritage of Bolivia", thus continuing existing policies for the conservation of the national natural resources.

Finally, on February 27, it was presented the "National Plan for the Conservation of the Bolivian Bufeo - Inia Boliviensis, 2012-2016". The Plan is the main tool for the implementation of coordinated actions towards the goal established for 2016, which states that "the Bolivian dolphin is adequately protected in well preserved aquatic habitats and living in harmony with humans."

The plan includes a series of actions of different priority levels and indicates the priority intervention areas. The actions to be developed in the coming years should be subject to the Plan and take into account the suggestions made in its five strategic lines: a) protection; b) sustainable use (non-consumptive use); c) knowledge management (research and monitoring); d) communication and environmental education; e) legislation, regulations and public and private institutional management.

WWF Bolivia was a key player in the process leading to the publication of the "National Plan for the Conservation of the Bolivian Bufeo - Inia boliviensis, 2012-2016". The organization participated in promoting, drawing up and developing the planning and implementation strategy of the studies and publications concerning the knowledge and conservation status of the species, as well as the impact that could occur in Bolivia due to the construction of hydroelectric dams in Brazil. Also, WWF helped in coordinating the efforts of various organizations interested in contributing to the conservation of the dolphin. It also participated and supported developing the Action Plan for South American river dolphins.

The Plan is a collaborative effort and direct involvement of the national government, the Ministries of Environment of Beni, Santa Cruz, La Paz and Cochabamba, and represents the support of foundations and organizations like CIRA, WCS, Whitley Fund for Nature, Omacha Foundation, Faunagua Association, URLA, Rufford Foundation, Puma, CI, MHNNKM, Estas Vivo Foundation, Inia Editorial, other local actors and WWF.

River dolphins are charismatic species that are integrated into the culture and legends of the Amazon. More than that, the presence of river dolphins is an indicator of the health of aquatic ecosystems, but also of the effect of pollution and changes in river flows created by the expansion of hydroelectric energy.

The efforts that have been made since 2006 by other foundations, organizations and local actors, all supported by WWF, have been made to count and study the species found in the rivers of the Amazon region, particularly in Bolivia, Perú, Ecuador and Colombia. These actions have been crucial for a better understanding of the needs of this species and quality of aquatic ecosystems.
"Bolivia has started a new launch phase of the national conservation plan in the same month when the designation of an important wetland, Moxos Plains, was announced, area that this species depends on. Upcoming conservation plans coming from other countries, collectively, will give a new dimension to the protection of the species, showing the results of an integrated work in hope that the river dolphins will swim freely and safely in the Amazon rivers", said Claudio Maretti, WWF Living Amazon Initiative leader.

"WWF recognizes the efforts of the Bolivian Government in taking giant steps regarding public policies about conservation issues, policies that are arising from the Constitution and are reinforced by the Law of Mother Earth. It is admirable to see how the Law that declares the Bolivian Bufeo as Natural Heritage translates into action, going further and proposing an Action Plan for its effective conservation", said Luis Pabon, Director of WWF Bolivia. "We can see once more how a successful policy of inclusion and cooperation among public and private sectors, civil society and social organizations can give surprising results. WWF is committed to support the efforts made to protect the river dolphin, a symbol of conservation throughout the Amazon".

Bolivia presenta el plan para conservar al bufeo boliviano

2013-02-28

La presentación del "Plan Nacional Para la Conservación del Bufeo Boliviano – Inia boliviensis 2012-2016" este 27 de febrero de 2013 es un logro más e incentivo para conservar la especie. Este plan tiene como objetivo contemplar acciones de diferentes niveles y zonas de prioridad así como también la implementación de acciones coordinadas.

La Paz, Bolivia - El miércoles 27 de febrero el Viceministerio de Medio Ambiente y Agua (MMAyA) del Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia, presentó el "Plan Nacional Para la Conservación del Bufeo Boliviano – Inia boliviensis 2012-2016".
El Plan es la culminación de una serie de eventos que se inician en 2006 cuando estudios genéticos (Martinez Agüero, et al), demuestran que el bufeo boliviano es una especie de delfín de río diferente de las conocidas y separada de su pariente más cercano, el Inia geoffrensis. Es a partir de entonces cuando se incrementa el interés sobre la especie y el accionar del gobierno nacional, particularmente del MMAyA y de las Secretarías de medio ambiente de Beni y Santa Cruz, institutos de investigación, organizaciones de conservación y actores locales.
En 2009 el MMAyA publica el Libro Rojo de Fauna de Vertebrados Amenazados de Bolivia destacando los avances en la protección de las especies amenazadas del país. Entre las especies en riesgo de extinción, está el bufeo como Vulnerable (VU), principalmente por estar expuesto a cambios en los ambientes acuáticos causados por la contaminación de las aguas y también por la construcción de represas hidroeléctricas.

En 2010, el Viceministerio de Medio Ambiente, Biodiversidad, Cambios Climáticos y de Gestión y Desarrollo Forestal, dependiente del MMAyA, a través de la Dirección General de Biodiversidad y Áreas Protegidas (DGB-AP) elabora la Estrategia para la Conservación de la Fauna de Vertebrados Amenazados de Bolivia. La Estrategia es un marco de conservación para las especies vulnerables y en peligro de extinción del Libro Rojo e identifica los Planes de acción para cada especie como las herramientas para su conservación.

En septiembre de 2012 el Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia promulgó la Ley 284, que declaró al Bufeo como "Patrimonio Natural de Bolivia", dándole continuidad a las políticas existentes para la conservación de los recursos naturales del país.

Finalmente, el 27 de febrero se presenta el "Plan Nacional Para la Conservación del Bufeo Boliviano – Inia boliviensis 2012-2016". El Plan constituye la herramienta principal para la implementación de acciones coordinadas hacia la meta del año 2016, donde se señala que "el bufeo boliviano es adecuadamente protegido en hábitats acuáticos bien conservados y viviendo en una relación armoniosa con el hombre".

El Plan contempla una serie de acciones de diferentes niveles de prioridad e indica las zonas de intervención prioritaria. Las acciones que se desarrollen en los siguientes años deberán enmarcarse en el Plan y tomar en cuenta las sugerencias formuladas en sus cinco líneas estratégicas: a) protección; b) uso sostenible (uso no extractivo); c) gestión del conocimiento (investigación y monitoreo); d) comunicación y educación ambiental; e) legislación, normativas y gestión institucional pública y privada.

WWF Bolivia fue un actor clave en el proceso que condujo a la publicación del "Plan Nacional Para la Conservación del Bufeo Boliviano – Inia boliviensis 2012-2016". Participó en la promoción, elaboración y desarrollo de la planificación y realización de estudios y publicaciones sobre el conocimiento y estado de conservación de la especie, sobre los impactos que podrían ocurrir a causa de la construcción de represas hidroeléctricas en Brasil con influencia en el territorio boliviano. Así mismo, WWF contribuyó a articular los esfuerzos de diversas instituciones interesadas en contribuir a la conservación del bufeo. También participó y apoyó en la elaboración del Plan de Acción de delfines de río de Sudamérica.

El Plan es fruto del esfuerzo conjunto y la participación destacada del Gobierno nacional, las Secretarías de medio ambiente de Beni, Santa Cruz, La Paz y Cochabamba, y el apoyo de fundaciones y organizaciones como CIRA, WCS, WDCS, Whitley Fund for Nature, Fundación Omacha, Asociación Faunagua, URLA, Fundación Rufford, Puma, CI, MHNNKM, Fundación Estas Vivo, Editorial Inia, actores locales y WWF.
Los delfines de río son especies carismáticas que están integrados en leyendas y en la cultura amazónica. Más que eso, la presencia de los delfines de río es un indicador de la salud de los ecosistemas acuáticos, pero también de los efectos de la contaminación y el cambio en los flujos de los ríos creados por la expansión de la energía hidroeléctrica.

Los esfuerzos que se han realizado desde el año 2006 por la Fundación Omacha, otras fundaciones, organizaciones y actores locales, con el apoyo de WWF, se han hecho para contar y estudiar la especie en los ríos de la región amazónica, especialmente en Bolivia, Perú, Ecuador y Colombia. Estas acciones han sido cruciales para una mejor comprensión de las necesidades de la especie y la calidad de los ecosistemas acuáticos.
"Bolivia ha iniciado una nueva fase de lanzamiento del plan nacional de conservación en el mismo mes que fue anunciada la designación un humedal importante, "Llanos de Moxos", área donde esta especie también habita. Los próximos planes de conservación que vienen de otros países, en conjunto, darán una nueva dimensión para la protección de las especies, que mostraran los resultados de un trabajo integrado con la esperanza de que los delfines de río seguirán nadando libremente y con seguridad en los ríos de la Amazonia ", declaró Claudio Maretti, WWF líder de la Iniciativa Para la Amazonia Viva.

"WWF reconoce el esfuerzo del Estado boliviano por los saltos gigantescos que está dando en políticas públicas de conservación que nacen de la Constitución Política y se refuerzan con la Ley de la Madre Tierra. Es loable ver como se traduce en acciones concretas la Ley que declara al bufeo Patrimonio Natural de Bolivia, yendo más allá y proponiendo un Plan de Acción para su conservación efectiva", dijo Luis Pabón, Director de WWF Bolivia. "Se demuestra otra vez que una política acertada de inclusión y cooperación entre actores públicos, privados, sociedad civil y organizaciones sociales, puede dar resultados sorprendentes. WWF se compromete a apoyar los esfuerzos de protección del bufeo, un símbolo de la conservación de toda la Amazonia".

Bolivia designates world's largest protected wetland

2013-02-01

Trinidad, Bolivia — To mark the annual World Wetlands Day, the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance has designated its largest site ever. At more than 6.9 million hectares, the Llanos de Moxos wetland is equivalent to the size of the Netherlands and Belgium together. The wetlands are prized for their rich natural diversity, as well as their cultural value.

"WWF applauds the government of Bolivia for taking bold action to protect these vital ecosystems," said Jim Leape, WWF International Director General. "The Amazon basin, covering nine countries, supports native species and the millions of people who live there – and plays an essential role in regulating the climate we all depend on. Healthy wetlands support the proper functioning of the whole Amazon."

The Llanos de Moxos, located near the borders of Bolivia, Peru and Brazil, consists of tropical savannas with cyclical droughts and floods. These wetlands are especially prized for their rich natural diversity: 131 species of mammals have been identified to date, 568 different birds, 102 reptiles, 62 amphibians, 625 fish and at least 1,000 plant species. Several species – including the giant otter and the Bolivian river dolphin – have been identified as vulnerable, endangered or at critical risk of extinction.

The region is traversed by three major rivers, the Beni in the west, the Iténez or Guaporé to the east, and the Mamoré in the central region. These rivers converge to form the Madeira River, the major southern tributary of the Amazon River.

The Llanos de Moxos wetlands are important to avoid floods, maintain minimum flows in the rivers during the dry season and regulate the region's hydrological cycle.

The area is sparsely populated, comprising seven indigenous territories and eight protected areas. Peasant communities and private properties also exist in the region, both mainly dedicated to farming.

The region was inhabited by pre-Columbian cultures from 800 B.C. to 1200 A.D. These together formed the "Moxos water-based cultures" typified by the clever use of hydraulic infrastructure for water management of the vast territory covered by the llanos, or plains, which sustained intensive agricultural production on which these ancient peoples survived.

The Bolivian Government Commitment
"We recognize the significant role of these wetlands in the conservation of Mother Earth, as well as the importance of the declaration confirming the Llanos de Moxos as internationally protected wetlands. We are proud to confirm to the world that the government of Bolivia is committed, in collaboration with social actors, to assuming the preservation of these areas as evidence of our efforts to achieve development for all our citizens. This is an important step as we continue to forge a truly harmonious relationship between our peoples and Mother Earth," stated Juan Pablo Cardozo Arnez, Bolivian Deputy Minister for the Environment.

The Deputy Minister went on to say: "Echoing the words of our President Evo Morales, we call upon all countries to incorporate [environmental] rights into their legislation and to comply with existing international agreements in this respect, so that human beings can begin to live in complete harmony and equilibrium with Mother Earth."

Ramsar Convention
The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance is an intergovernmental treaty, signed by 160 countries in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar. The Ramsar Convention's mission is the conservation and wise use of wetlands, with the goal of achieving sustainable development.

The designation of Llanos de Moxos is the product of a cooperative effort led by the government of of Beni Department, and Bolivia's Environment and Water Ministry and Vice-Ministry of the Environment. WWF did the technical studies under the Ramsar Convention framework to qualify for designation as a wetland of international importance.

Bolivia acceded to the Ramsar Convention in 1990 and ratified it on 7 May 2002. It has eight other Ramsar sites: Los Lípez in south western Potosi Department; Lake Titicaca (La Paz Department), the Taczara basin in Tarija Department, Lakes Poopó and Uru Uru (Oruro Department), the Bolivian Pantanal, the Izozog Marshes and the Parapetí River in Santa Cruz de la Sierra.

"The Moxos' declaration is a victory for wetlands conservation in the Amazon region. It will help protect different ecosystems and landscapes, guarantee a balanced provision of goods and services for Amazonian inhabitants and secure the future of this rich but fragile area," said Luis Pabón, WWF-Bolivia Country Director. "But most important is the challenge the Bolivian government and society are assuming, committing to protect the Llanos de Moxos in the long term. This declaration is clear evidence of how, here in Latin America and especially in Bolivia, supporting government conservation processes and policies can lead to important achievements."

For further information:
Julio Mario Fernandez, Communication Director, Latin America and Caribbean, + 593 983356421 – juliomario.fernandez@wwfus.org
Denise Oliveira, Communication Coordinator, WWF Living Amazon Initiative, +55 61 8175.2695 - doliveira@wwf.org.br
Mónica Bedregal, Communication Officer, WWF Bolivia, +591-2-2426248 – 591-78188795 mbedregal@wwfbolivia.org

About WWF
WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with over 5 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

Bolivia designa el humedal protegido más grande del mundo

2013-02-01

Las áreas húmedas Llanos de Moxos son importantes para evitar inundaciones, mantener los caudales mínimos en los ríos durante la estación seca del año así como también regula el ciclo hidrológico de la región.

Trinidad (Bolivia) — Con motivo del Día Mundial de los Humedales, la Convención de Ramsar relativa a los Humedales de Importancia Internacional ha designado el que supone hasta la fecha el mayor sitio Ramsar del mundo. Con más de 6,9 millones de hectáreas, el humedal de los Llanos de Moxos tiene un tamaño equivalente a Holanda y Bélgica juntas, y destaca por su rica diversidad natural y por su valor cultural.

"WWF aplaude al gobierno de Bolivia por tomar medidas decididas para proteger estos ecosistemas vitales", afirmó Jim Leape, director general de WWF Internacional. "La cuenca del Amazonas, que abarca a nueve países, es el hogar de un sinfín de especies endémicas y de millones de personas, y desempeña un papel esencial en la regulación del clima, por lo que es fundamental para todos. Contar con humedales sanos contribuye a mantener el buen funcionamiento de toda la Amazonia".

Los Llanos de Moxos, ubicados cerca de la frontera entre Bolivia, Perú y Brasil, están formados por sabanas tropicales con ciclos de sequías e inundaciones. Estos humedales son especialmente valorados por su rica diversidad natural: hasta la fecha se han identificado 131 especies de mamíferos, 568 de aves, 102 de reptiles, 62 de anfibios, 625 de peces y al menos 1000 de plantas. Numerosas especies, entre ellas la nutria gigante y el delfín rosado, han sido clasificadas como especies vulnerables, en peligro de extinción o en peligro crítico de extinción.

La región es atravesada por tres ríos principales: el Beni, al oeste, el Iténez o Guaporé, al este, y el Mamoré, en la región central. Estos ríos se juntan para formar el río Madeira, principal afluente meridional del río Amazonas.

El humedal de los Llanos de Moxos es importante para evitar inundaciones, mantener caudales ecológicos mínimos en los ríos durante la estación seca y sustentar el ciclo hidrológico en la región, especialmente en los ríos peruanos y brasileños.

Se trata de una zona poco poblada, que alberga siete territorios indígenas y ocho áreas protegidas. En ella hay también comunidades de campesinos y propiedades privadas, dedicadas ambas principalmente a la agricultura.

En esta región habitaron del 800 a.C. al 1200 d.C. culturas precolombinas, como la "Cultura Hidráulica de Moxos", que se caracterizó por el uso inteligente de la infraestructura hidráulica para gestionar el agua de ese vasto territorio de llanos. En eso basaron una producción agrícola intensiva que permitió la supervivencia de esos pueblos.

El compromiso del gobierno boliviano

"La Constitución Política del Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia, reconoce la importancia de los humedales y establece como un principio básico para 'Vivir Bien', el respeto a los Derechos de la Madre Tierra. Consecuentes con estos principios y reconociendo la importancia de los humedales en la protección a la Madre Tierra y la relevancia internacional que representa la declaración de 'Los Llanos de Moxos' como Humedal, se pone de manifiesto el compromiso del Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia en coordinación con los actores sociales de asumir el compromiso de conservar los humedales, en procura de un desarrollo integral de todos sus habitantes en Relación Armónica con la Madre Tierra y los sistemas de vida que los componen", señaló Juan Pablo Cardozo Arnez, Viceministro de Medio Ambiente de Bolivia. "Haciendo eco al pedido del Presidente Evo Morales al mundo, hacemos un llamado a todos los países a incluir en sus legislaciones los derechos de La Madre Tierra y a cumplir los acuerdos internacionales para que los seres humanos empecemos a vivir en armonía y equilibrio con ella".

La Convención de Ramsar

La Convención relativa a los Humedales de Importancia Internacional es un tratado intergubernamental firmado por 160 países en 1971 en la ciudad iraní de Ramsar. La misión de la Convención de Ramsar es la conservación y el uso racional de los humedales, con el objetivo de lograr un desarrollo sostenible.

La designación como humedal de los Llanos de Moxos es producto de un esfuerzo conjunto liderado por el gobierno del departamento del Beni, del Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Agua y del Viceministerio de Medio Ambiente de Bolivia. WWF llevó a cabo los estudios técnicos previstos en el marco de la Convención de Ramsar de cara a permitir la designación como humedal de importancia internacional.

Bolivia, que se adhirió a la Convención de Ramsar en 1990 y la ratificó el 7 de mayo de 2002, cuenta con ocho sitios Ramsar: Los Lípez, en el sudoeste del departamento de Potosí; el Lago Titicaca, en el departamento de La Paz; la cuenca de Tajzara, en el departamento de Tarija; los lagos Poopó y Uru Uru, en el departamento de Oruro; y el Pantanal boliviano, los Bañados de Izozog y el río Parapetí, en el departamento de Santa Cruz de la Sierra.

"La designación de los Moxos es primordial para la conservación de los humedales en la región amazónica, pues su condición saludable tendrá un impacto positivo en los ciclos hidrológicos de la cuenca amazónica; esto ayudará a conservar ecosistemas y paisajes, garantizará el suministro equilibrado de bienes y servicios para los habitantes amazónicos y asegurará la conservación de esta zona", afirmó Luis Pabón, director de WWF Bolivia. "Pero lo más importante es el desafío que asumen el gobierno boliviano y la sociedad civil, comprometiéndose a proteger los Llanos de Moxos a largo plazo; esta declaración es una muestra clara de cómo aquí en Latinoamérica, y especialmente en Bolivia, los procesos y políticas gubernamentales de apoyo a la conservación pueden conducir a logros importantes".

Purús: gobierno redobla compromisos por el parque nacional más grande del Perú

2013-01-16

• Aprobación de nuevo plan maestro apuntala su conservación y refuerza protección de pueblos en aislamiento voluntario

• Herramienta de gestión prioriza aportes de la población local, autoridades y organizaciones públicas y privadas

Lima 16 de enero del 2013. Luego de casi dos años de arduo trabajo, el área natural protegida más grande del Perú, el Parque Nacional Alto Purús, cuenta con una robustecida estrategia para su conservación. Y es que, su plan maestro, principal herramienta de gestión, ha sido actualizado oficialmente.

Este documento constituye, en la práctica, un instrumento indispensable para asegurar la adecuada administración y protección de dicha área y sus recursos en beneficio de las poblaciones aledañas, y la versión correspondiente para el período 2012 – 2017 fue recientemente aprobada por el Dr. Pedro Gamboa, Jefe del Servicio Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas por el Estado - SERNANP mediante Resolución Presidencial 238 -2012.

Al respecto, el biólogo Arsenio Calle, Jefe del Parque Nacional Alto Purús resaltó que "las áreas naturales protegidas son creadas por el Estado peruano para el servicio de la sociedad, por lo que es fundamental que todos los sectores participen de su gestión. Por ello, esta actualización del plan maestro prioriza mecanismos para la participación concertada de todos los actores alrededor, para que el parque pueda cumplir su misión".

De este modo, se consolida la apuesta del Estado por el desarrollo sostenible en esta importante región de la Amazonía peruana, que se distingue por su gran diversidad biológica y cultural, representada por una población indígena cercana a los 4000 habitantes divididos en ocho grupos étnicos que dependen directamente de estos bosques para proveerse de agua, alimentos y medicinas.

Cabe mencionar que para la actualización del mencionado plan maestro, la jefatura del área con su equipo técnico realizó desde 2011 una serie de reuniones y talleres de trabajo en campo con la finalidad de incorporar de manera prioritaria las opiniones y puntos de vista de los pobladores locales y sus organizaciones, así como aquellas de los organismos públicos y privados dentro del área de influencia del parque.

En ese sentido, el biólogo Jorge Herrera de WWF, organización con casi 10 años de aportes a la conservación y desarrollo sostenible de la región, recalcó el carácter "participativo, democrático y transparente" del proceso y felicitó el hecho de que "recoge el concepto de visión compartida, uno de los pilares de la política del gobierno actual y de su agenda de inclusión social".

Un gran corredor de conservación

El Parque Nacional Alto Purús, tiene una extensión de 2 510 694 ha (similar a El Salvador). Se ubica entre Ucayali y Madre de Dios, colindando con Brasil, y alberga una de las últimas poblaciones de indígenas en aislamiento voluntario en la Amazonía. Esta área conjuntamente con la Reserva Comunal Purús, forman parte de un corredor de áreas naturales protegidas que incluye al Parque Nacional del Manu - y otras

importantes áreas protegidas y reservas territoriales en beneficio de pueblos en aislamiento voluntario-, que continúa del lado brasileño.

Desde su categorización definitiva en 2004 las áreas naturales protegidas del Purús han servido para asegurar el mantenimiento de los servicios ambientales indispensables que sus bosques brindan a sus habitantes y al mundo entero, tales como la provisión de alimentos, la generación de agua para poblaciones en Madre de Dios, Ucayali e incluso del Brasil y la regulación del clima a partir de la captura de gases de efecto invernadero que de otro modo contribuirían al cambio climático.

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WWF trabaja en esta región de la mano de: las Jefaturas del Parque Nacional Alto Purús y la Reserva Comunal Purús (SERNANP)s, los Comités de Gestión de ambas ANP, los Comités de Guardaparques Voluntarios, el Ejecutor del Contrato de Administración de la Reserva Comunal Purús (ECOPURÚS), la Asociación Peruana para la Conservación de la Naturaleza (APECO), La Fundación Peruana para la Conservación de la Naturaleza (PRONATURALEZA), la Asociación Ayuda para la Vida Silvestre Amenazada - Sociedad Zoológica de Francfort (AVISA - SZF), PROPURUS, la Federación de Comunidades Nativas del Purús (FECONAPU), la Asociación de Comunidades Nativas para el Desarrollo Integral del Yurua (ACONADIYSH), la Organización Regional AIDESEP Ucayali (ORAU), las comunidades nativas de Purús,Yurúa, Sepahua y las poblaciones locales de Atalaya, Tahuamanu, Iñapari y Las Piedras, impulsando el desarrollo sostenible de esta región, gracias al apoyo de The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation y USAID.

Purús:Government strengthens its commitments in favor of Peru´s largest National Park

2013-01-16

• Approval of new master plan reinforces conservation efforts and strengthens the protection of indigenous groups in voluntary isolation

• This management tool builds upon the contributions of local people, authorities, and public and private organizations

Lima, January 16th, 2013. After almost two years of hard work, the Alto Purús National Park – largest natural protected area in Peru –, celebrates a strengthened strategy towards its conservation. Its master plan, the main management tool for any protected area, has been officially updated.

This important document is, in simple terms, a fundamental instrument for ensuring the appropriate management and protection of such area and its resources in benefit of neighboring populations. The version for 2012 – 2017 was recently approved by Dr. Pedro Gamboa, Head of the National System of State- Natural Protected Areas – SERNANP through Presidential Resolution No 238 – 2012.

Biologist Arsenio Calle, Head of the Alto Purús National Park highlighted that "natural protected areas are established by the Government for the service of society. For that reason, it is important that all sectors take part in its management. Therefore, the master plan updating process has prioritized mechanisms for the participation of all stakeholders, as to accomplish this objective".

In this sense, the Government has ratified its commitment for the sustainable development of this unique region of the Peruvian Amazon – characterized for having outstanding biological and cultural diversities, the latter represented by an indigenous population of nearly 4000 people from eight ethnic groups, who directly depend upon these forests for water, food and medicine.

In order to ensure a successful process, the park staff carried out several meetings and field workshops since 2011, aiming to incorporate the opinions and input of local peoples, as well as those of public and private organizations, along the area of influence of the park.

In this regard, Biologist Jorge Herrera of WWF (organization with over 10 year experience contributing towards the conservation and sustainable development of the region), emphasized the "participatory, democratic and transparent" character of the process, and congratulated the fact of "building on the idea of a shared vision – one of the political pillars of the current government and its social inclusion agenda".

A unique conservation corridor

The Alto Purús National Park comprises 2510694 ha, an area similar in size to El Salvador. It is located between Ucayali and Madre de Dios, close to the border with Brazil, and harbors one of the last indigenous groups in voluntary isolation in the Amazon. This area jointly with the Purús Communal Reserve are part of a corridor of natural protected areas which includes the Manu National Park – besides other significant protected areas and territorial reserves in benefit of peoples in voluntary isolation – that spans beyond at the Brazilian side.

Since its definitive categorization in 2004, the natural protected areas of Purús have contributed to ensuring the maintenance of critical environmental services provided by their forests, such as food and water for the population of Madre de Dios, Ucayali and even Brazil; as well as the capture of Greenhouse effect gases to halt global climate change.

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WWF works in this region hand-in-hand with: the Headquarters of Alto Purús National Park and the Communal Reserve of Purús (National System of State- Natural Protected Areas – SERNANP), the Management Committees of both Natural Protected Areas (NPA), the Committees of Volunteer Park Rangers, the Purús Communal Reserve Management Contract Administrator (ECOPURÚS), the Peruvian Association for the Conservation of Nature (APECO), the Peruvian Foundation for Nature Conservation (PRONATURALEZA), the Help for Threatened Wildlife Foundation – Frankfurt Zoological Society (AVISA – FZS), PROPURUS, the Federation of Native Communities of Purus (FECONAPU), the Association of Native Communities for the Integral Development of Yurúa (ACONADIYSH), the Regional Organization of AIDESEP in Ucayali (ORAU), the Native Communities of Purús, Yurua, Sepahua and Local Peoples of Atalaya, Tahuamanu, Iñapari and Las Piedras, fostering the sustainable development of this region, thanks to the support of The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and USAID.

Ministerio del Ambiente de Perú y WWF consolidan alianza por la conservación

2012-12-21

• Nuevo convenio fortalece la relación de ambas instituciones en beneficio de la naturaleza
• Evento fue ocasión para que la Presidenta de WWF Internacional, Yolanda Kakabadse entregue reconocimiento al Ministro del Ambiente, Dr. Manuel Pulgar - Vidal

Lima 13 de diciembre 2012. El Ministerio del Ambiente del Perú - MINAM y WWF firmaron un convenio para potenciar su trabajo de conservación en territorio peruano, en un evento realizado en el Swissotel de San Isidro. Cabe mencionar que a través de los años WWF ha trabajado en respaldo al Estado Peruano en la gestión de áreas naturales protegidas y el manejo de recursos forestales con una larga historia de éxitos.

"Como WWF estamos muy contentos de haber firmado este documento, porque queremos ratificar nuestro compromiso de apoyo al Ministerio y también a la administración actual con su agenda de inclusión social y de sostenibilidad ambiental", declaró Patricia León - Melgar, Directora de WWF Perú.

El evento contó con la presencia de Yolanda Kakabadse, Presidenta de WWF Internacional, quien manifestó su satisfacción con el trabajo que viene realizándose en Perú, en donde existe un espíritu de cooperación entre las organizaciones de la sociedad civil y entes del Estado como el MINAM.

Al respecto manifestó "Tenemos que seguir colaborando, uno de los méritos más importantes de Manuel Pulgar- Vidal en el Ministerio es que ha abierto las puertas a la sociedad civil, para escuchar, trabajar y diseñar juntos los objetivos de país".

Asimismo Kakabadse aprovechó para entregar un reconocimiento al Ministro Pulgar - Vidal en honor a su "destacada y comprometida gestión como Ministro del Ambiente en favor de la conservación de la naturaleza y el desarrollo sostenible nacional".

Este reconocimiento ocurre semanas después de la declaración del Parque Nacional Güeppi Sekime y las Reservas Comunales Airo Pai y Huimeki a fines de octubre, que fue reforzado por el Programa Trinacional, suscrito por los Ministerios de ambiente del Perú, Colombia y Ecuador, que cuenta con el apoyo de WWF y la Unión Europea, entre otras instituciones.

Por su parte, el Ministro resaltó la importancia del trabajo conjunto entre el Estado y la sociedad civil e hizo una mención especial al trabajo de WWF dentro y fuera del país "Queremos agradecerle a WWF su esfuerzo y dedicación, por lo que hace por el planeta y en este caso por el Perú, para construir un futuro común, que es la tarea de la conservación".

La declaratoria de estas nuevas áreas naturales protegidas son tan sólo el último de varios avances en términos de conservación de la diversidad biológica en favor de las poblaciones locales que viene realizando el Ministerio del Ambiente del Perú en procesos que han contado con el apoyo de WWF.

Al evento asistieron representantes de distintos organismos de cooperación internacional, miembros de ONGs nacionales e internacionales, así como representantes de entidades que realizan actividades en pro de la conservación del patrimonio natural de nuestro país.

Peru's Ministry of the Environment and WWF consolidate a conservation alliance

2012-12-20

• New agreement strengthens collaboration between the two institutions for the benefit of nature

• The event was an opportunity for the President of WWF International, Yolanda Kakabadse, to give formal recognition to Minister of the Environment, Manuel Pulgar-Vidal for its outstanding work

Lima, December 13, 2012 - Peru's Ministry of the Environment (MINAM) and WWF signed an agreement to enhance their conservation work within the country, at an event held at the Swissotel in San Isidro. It should be noted that throughout the years, WWF has worked in support of the Peruvian government in the improved management of natural protected areas and forest resources, among others, with a long history of success.

"As WWF, we are very pleased to have signed this document, because we want to reaffirm our commitment to support the Ministry, as well as the current administration, with its social inclusion and environmental sustainability agenda", said Patricia Leon-Melgar, Director of WWF Peru.

The event was attended by Yolanda Kakabadse, President of WWF International, who expressed her satisfaction with the work in Peru, where there is a spirit of cooperation between civil society organizations and government agencies such as the MINAM. In this regard, she said "we have to continue cooperating. One of the most important merits of Manuel Pulgar-Vidal in the Ministry is that he has opened the doors to civil society, to listen, work and plan together the objectives of the country".

Kakabadse also took the opportunity to present a recognition to Pulgar - Vidal, in honor of his "outstanding and committed work as Minister of the Environment, for the conservation of nature and national sustainable development".

This recognition comes weeks after the declaration of the Güeppi Sekime National Park and the Airo Pai and Huimeki Communal Reserves in late October. These were driven by the trinational program, which was signed by the Ministries of the Environment of Peru, Colombia and Ecuador, and supported by WWF and the European Union, among other institutions.

For his part, the Minister highlighted the importance of a joint effort between the State and civil society, and made a special mention of WWF's work in and outside the country. "We would like to thank WWF for its effort and dedication for what they are doing for the planet and Peru as to build a common future, which is the conservation of nature", he stated.

The declaration of these new natural protected areas is only the latest of several advances in terms of biodiversity conservation for the benefit of local populations being made by Peru's Ministry of the Environment, in processes that have been supported by WWF.

The event was attended by representatives of various international aid agencies, members of national and international NGOs, as well as representatives of organizations that carry out activities for the conservation of the natural heritage of our country.

Nuevas comunidades nativas tituladas en Loreto apuntalan conservación en frontera trinacional

2012-12-15

• Seis comunidades kichwa logran la titulación de sus territorios luego haberse creado tres áreas naturales protegidas en la frontera con Ecuador y Colombia.

• Comunidades tituladas son vecinas de la nueva Reserva Comunal Huimeki

Lima 14 diciembre.- Después de una larga espera, las comunidades nativas del Putumayo: Nuevo Peneya, Nuevo Peneyta, Santa Rosa de Escalante, Puerto Lupita, Puerto Véliz y Tres Fronteras en Loreto recibieron sus títulos de propiedad. Este es un acontecimiento muy importante para sus pobladores pues significa que el Estado reconoce su existencia legal y evita, así, futuros conflictos por el uso de recursos, haciendo valer su derecho a ser consultados sobre cualquier actividad a desarrollarse en la zona mediante el proceso de consulta previa, libre e informada.

Este proceso de titulación fue impulsado en el marco del proyecto Putumayo Tres Fronteras, con el apoyo de WWF y la Unión Europea, y ejecutado de la mano de las comunidades nativas locales quienes participaron activamente de la demarcación de sus territorios bajo el liderazgo del Centro para el Desarrollo del Indígena Amazónico (CEDIA).

"Con la titulación de estas comunidades, se reconocen derechos, se contribuye a garantizar la existencia de la cultura del pueblo kichwa y sus saberes ancestrales, y se abren las puertas para que puedan participar formalmente de la gestión de las nuevas áreas protegidas", señala Johana Deza, coordinadora del proyecto Putumayo Tres Fronteras en WWF Perú.

La titulación de estas tierras se hace dos meses después de la categorización de la Zona Reservada de Güeppí en 3 importantes áreas protegidas: el Parque Nacional Güeppí – Sekime y las Reservas Comunales Airo Pai y Huimeki, cuyo objetivo principal es conservar la diversidad biológica y promover el manejo sostenible de los recursos en beneficio de las poblaciones que habitan en la zona.

La seguridad territorial es un reclamo histórico de los pueblos indígenas amazónicos, cuyos territorios son vitales para ellos pues de sus bosques obtienen los recursos necesarios para su existencia. Al mismo tiempo, estos pueblos son considerados los guardianes del bosque pues hacen un uso tradicionalmente respetuoso de la naturaleza, y emplean técnicas que tienen un bajo impacto sobre el bosque, y que por tanto mantienen sus beneficios para la humanidad.

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El proyecto Putumayo Tres Fronteras se implementa con recursos de la Unión Europa y WWF Alemania; es una iniciativa de integración fronteriza Amazónica entre tres áreas protegidas de Ecuador, Colombia y Perú, cuyo objetivo es contribuir a la conservación de la biodiversidad y al desarrollo sostenible de la cuenca media del río Putumayo.

Newly entitled indigenous communities in Loreto; Peru now ready to foster conservation throughout the trinational borde

2012-12-15

After the recent creation of three natural protected areas along the Peruvian border with Ecuador and Colombia, neighboring Kichwa communities are now ready to actively engage in their conservation

Lima, December 14. -After waiting for a long time, the indigenous communities of Nuevo Peneya, Nuevo Peneyta, Santa Rosa de Escalante, Puerto Lupita, Puerto Véliz and Tres fronteras in Putumayo, Loreto, finally received their property deeds. This is a major event for the local population in this region of the Peruvian Amazon, since it means the State legally acknowledges their presence in the area, thus avoiding future conflicts regarding resources exploitation and enforcing their rights to be asked about any potential activities to be developed in the area, through a "free prior and informed consent process (FPIC)".

This entitlement process was supported by WWF and the European Union under the framework of the Putumayo Tres Fronteras project, and executed together with local indigenous communities who were actively involved in their territorial demarcation lead by the Centro para el Desarrollo del Indígena Amazónico (Center for the Development of Indigenous People in the Amazon – CEDIA).

"With the entitlement of such communities, their rights are recognized; and the preservation of Kichwa peoples' culture and ancient knowledge is ensured. Therefore, doors are opened for them to formally participate in the management of neighboring Huimeki communal reserve", stated Johana Deza, WWF Peru Coordinator for the Putumayo Tres Fronteras project.

This has been accomplished two months after the definitive categorization of the Güeppí Reseved Zone into three important protected areas: Güeppí– Sekime National Park and AiroPai and Huimeki Communal Reserves. The common goal of these areas is to preserve biodiversity and foster sustainable resources management in favor of local populations.

Land tenure rights and territorial security is a historical claim of indigenous peoples throughout the Amazon, since they depend on their forests resources. At the same time, they are considered the guardians of the forest as they have traditionally and respectfully used nature with low-impact practices; thus maintaining nature benefits for humankind.

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The Putumayo Tres Fronteras Project is implemented with funds from the European Union and WWF Germany. It began operations in 2009 and will run for four years. It is an initiative of Amazon border integration in the middle basin of the Putumayo River, in three protected areas in Ecuador, Colombia and Peru, that aims to contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and sustainable development in the area.

Brasil-France: gold mining fever and the need of political cooperation

2012-12-10

WWF opinion article regarding gold mining in Brasil-French Guiana border.

Today, (Dec,10th) , President Dilma Rousseff begins a 48-hour state visit on French soil. A great opportunity to remind that Brazil and France share a physical boundary, located on the entire southern and eastern perimeter of French Guiana. For more than 600 kilometers, only a river and a ridgeline separate the two countries, against the awe-inspiring backdrop of the Amazon forest. Here, Brazil provided the impetus which led to the creation of the Tumucumaque National Park in Amapá state, in 2002, followed in France by the founding of the French Guiana Amazonian Park in 2007. Together, these two adjoining protected areas constitute the largest protected tropical forest in the world.

Yet amidst this seemingly idyllic context, relations between the two countries have come up against a stumbling block. In the heart of these gigantic protected areas dedicated to biodiversity and local communities, a deep-seated ill has taken root: gold fever. Driven by a strong market demand related to global economy and associated with social and economical aspects in both countries, this quest for riches, fuelled by soaring prices for the precious metal, has led to the uncontrolled pillaging of resources that are theoretically under government protection. Water contamination by mercury, destruction of primary forests, degraded life conditions and insecurity have become the daily reality of local and Indigenous communities. Aware of the situation, the two governments decided to commit themselves, by means of a specific bilateral agreement, to joining forces to fight against this scourge, which is polluting rivers and severely tarnishing Brazil's image in France.

Signed in 2008, the text, which specifically aims to reestablish the credibility of Brazilian and French protected areas by enabling them to receive the necessary means to enforce the law, has still not been ratified by Brazil. Worse yet, since the cowardly assassination of two French soldiers by garimpeiros in June 2012, the apparent passivity of a minority of Brazilian elected officials has cast doubt on the existence of a true bilateral will to put an end to this social and environmental disaster. Public protests organized in Cayenne and the resulting social tensions should now lead the presidents of Brazil and France to accelerate the ratification process on the Brazilian side and initiate the bilateral actions announced almost four years ago. Four years that have witnessed too many crimes, too many offenses, which now weigh heavily on French-Brazilian cooperation.

This new state visit affords Brazil and France the unique opportunity to demonstrate that bilateral actions can fulfill announced ambitions and stop illegal mining in protected areas, as requested by the WWF network and COICA (Coordinator of Indigenous Organizations in the Amazon) through the "Call for the Amazon" launched during the Rio+20 summit.

Isabelle Autissier, President WWF France; Maria Cecília Wey de Brito, WWF Brasil CEO; Claudio Maretti, Living Amazon Initiative leader; Dominiek Plouvier, WWF Guianas Representative.

Can Brazil and France jointly keep Indigenous populations and protected areas safe from illegal gold-mining damages?

2012-12-10

Following the rapid growth of gold price, some of the least disturbed parts of the world forest and many indigenous lands and territories have been facing major gold rushes. In the Amazon, 37% of the National Parks from 7 Amazonian countries face mining issues . The situation is particularly severe in some localities of the Western Amazon (Madre de Dios, Peru) and in the Guianas (Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana).

Unmanaged small-scale gold-mining leads to river siltation, biodiversity loss due to turbidity, soil removal and forest conversion. These practices contribute to 1/3 of the global mercury pollution, and cause major health and environmental impacts. In the Amazon biome, mercury releases into the environment due to unregulated gold-mining exceeds 100tonns a year.

In the North-East of the Amazon biome, a WWF Guianas study showed that gold-mining deforestation has increased 3-fold from 2001-2002 to 2007-2008, covering today more than 65.000ha. Water pollution due to small-scale gold-mining reached a total of 26.000km of impacted rivers in 2008. In French Guiana alone, the Park Amazonien de la Guyane recently announced that since the beginning of this year, more than 900Km of rivers were polluted by illegal gold-mining consequences.

In this context, the WWF network sees in the current state visit of President Dilma Rousseff in Paris an important opportunity for Brazil and France to jointly tackle the social problems arising from illegal gold mining and restore protected areas' integrity. Indeed, over the 2000s, these two countries have chosen to protect large portions of their Amazonian biodiversity and indigenous lands through the Tumucumaque Mountains National Park in Brazil and the Amazonian National Park in French Guiana, giving birth together of more than six million hectares of connected protected forests.

Following the first gold-mining damages on these areas, Brazil and France have signed in December, 2008 a specific bilateral agreement to jointly prevent and repress rampant illegal gold mining on border zones.

Almost four years after the signing, this bilateral agreement is still not effective: so far, only the French Parliament has ratified it. On the Brazilian side, the ratification process is still slowed down, preventing both countries to effectively benefit from each other's against illegal mining consequences. In the field, the situation for local communities is still worsening, and data published in December, 2011, demonstrate that 30% of the Wayana indigenous community suffers from mercury contamination above WHO maximum thresholds.

During the Rio+20 summit, WWF and COICA (Coordinator of Indigenous Organizations in the Amazon) launched a call to stop illegal gold mining in protected areas and tackling related social problems.

In this context, WWF asks for an urgent ratification and implementation of the current bilateral agreement in favour of border protected areas and local communities.

Brazilian children show they opt for new renewable forms of energy

2012-12-05

President Dilma Rousseff will receive 29 letters chosen from over 2,000 competition submissions

"Your Excellency President Dilma, I feel obliged to inform you about the situation of electricity generating sources in Brazil. As your Excellency must know, Brazil has many different sources of energy but they need to be used more conscientiously. We all need electricity, we are dependent on electricity and so there needs to be more investment made in cleaner, renewable sources of it".

That direct, original message sent by Jorge Alves Pinto, a year-nine student at the Prefeito Williams de Souza Arruda School in the state of Paraiba opens the text of the document 'Investing in the present to improve the future' addressed to President Dilma Rousseff.

Joao was one of 2,000 students that engaged in studies of clean energy sources and the energy options that are open to Brazil as part of their participation in the essay competition on "The Cleaner Energy Challenge ' promoted by the Agora (Now) Project.

The educational action was unfolded in government-run schools in 10 Brazilian states and the Federal District and involved children and young people in the 10 to 15 age group. They were invited to write a response to the question "What kind of energy does Brazil need and where will it come from?" There were four months of research and classroom work enabling students to study, learn and form an opinion on energy production in Brazil and to express it in the form of a letter.

29 letters were selected as prizewinners and will be sent in to President Dilma Rousseff by the project's coordinating body. This Wednesday (December 5) the award celebration took place in Sao Paulo attended by prizewinners from the respective Brazilian states. The students received a Tablet and the teachers that were responsible for tutoring them were awarded notebooks. Each of the student's schools received a retro-projector.

To Pedro Bara Neto, leader of the Infrastructure Strategy of the WWF Network's Living Amazon Initiative, the invitation to participate in the competition's panel of judges made it possible to discover new facets of young people today and learn how they will face up to the consequences of the choices that are being made by the authorities today.

"What was most striking was the fact that they addressed subjects like climate change and sustainability. It seems that children nowadays are already born with more green in their DNA. These students, for example, embraced the project and thoroughly grasped the idea behind it. They related the energy questions to considerations on the environment and what could happen to Brazil and the world at large if that relationship is ignored," declared Pedro Bara.

Energy and Football

In a country where sport and movement mobilize the population, relating energy to football and the World Cup was only to be expected in the letters.

Krison Curtes Tereza, from the Getulio Evangelista da Rocha State Government School in Cumari, in the state of Goias, linked football to renewable energy sources and suggested that President Dilma should form a "golden foursome" in the field of energy.

"I am writing this letter to inform your Excellency that Brazil, with its immense natural wealth, could very well make use of all four sources of clean energy: hydroelectric, solar, Aeolian and biomass energy; each one complementing the others. Instead of forming a division among those sources, we could form a great, unbeatable team: a golden foursome".

Impacts

The importance of complementariness among energy sources and the impacts on the environment caused by using them were addressed in the text of a letter written by Karolyne Cassimiro Duarte da Cruz, from the Gercina Borges Teixeira State Government School, in Caiaponia, in the State of Goias.

"The electricity we use that comes from the hydroelectric plants brings with it harm to the environment, the fauna and the flora, as well as being highly dependent on rainfall patterns. However, as great investments have already been made in it, I suggest that we should continue with the hydroelectric plants and make use of bio-energy to complement it", commented Karoline Cassimiro, who went on to remind the President and the Brazilian authorities that Brazil leads the world in technology for making best use of biomass; she also underscored the importance of renewable forms of energy.

Project
The Agora project, an initiative of the Sugarcane Industry Association (União da Indústria de Cana-de-Açúcar- Unica), promotes educational activities designed to clarify and raise awareness on the essential economic, social and environmental components of sustainability.