“Revolutionizing the Amazon Economy: A Sustainable Future for People and Forests”

The Amazon rainforest, often referred to as the “lungs of the Earth,” is facing unprecedented threats due to large-scale deforestation and climate change. In a recent study published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution, a group of conservationists from Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, the US, and the UK have proposed a new economic model to protect the Amazon and support the wellbeing of its people.

Despite decades of economic development in the Amazon region, indigenous and rural communities have seen little improvement in income, life expectancy, and education. The researchers argue that a shift in economic focus is necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Amazon and its people.

Lead author Professor Rachael Garrett from the University of Cambridge’s Department of Geography and the Conservation Research Institute emphasizes the need for a new vision for the Amazon. The proposed model, known as socio-bioeconomies (SBEs), aims to build on the success of indigenous and traditional communities to develop sustainable economies that protect the rainforest while improving livelihoods and food security.

The SBE model focuses on using and restoring Amazonian ecosystems sustainably, supporting indigenous and rural communities, and promoting eco-friendly industries such as tourism and sustainable agriculture. By redirecting governmental subsidies away from agribusiness and towards smaller-scale sustainable development, the researchers believe that SBEs can create win-win scenarios for both humanity and conservation.

One example of a successful SBE is the French footwear brand Veja, which sources rubber for its sneakers from small-scale Amazonian rubber farmers. By supporting community enterprises and promoting sustainable practices, Veja has been financially successful without traditional advertising.

Garrett and her collaborators are calling for increased social mobilization, technology, and infrastructure to support SBEs. They propose policy changes such as redirecting finance to conservation and restoration activities, supporting community enterprises, and ensuring participatory processes to ensure inclusive, long-term benefits.

Ultimately, the researchers believe that the SBE model could help protect the Amazon and its people while avoiding climate and biodiversity disasters. However, they stress that political will is needed to make this vision a reality. By investing in businesses and initiatives that support SBEs, as well as supporting research into innovative conservation and development practices, the Amazon and its people can thrive in a sustainable and equitable manner.

Rachael Garrett, the lead author of the study, is set to become the director of the University of Cambridge Conservation Research Institute and is actively involved in conservation efforts in the Amazon region. She is a strong advocate for the interconnectedness of people and nature and believes that by popularizing the SBE model, a transformation in both conservation and development in the Amazon is possible.