The Amazon Rainforest is the most biologically diverse place on earth. Current research estimates that one and one-half acres of rainforest are lost every second. The loss of biodiversity and the subsequent environmental impact will have a fundamental effect on the lives of every living being on this planet.

The economic system in the Amazonas region is highly dependant on hydrocarbons (fossil fuels) due to the distances people and goods need to be transported and the relentless pressures of capitalism. Combined with a hyper developing industrial economy it is creating high regional inflation as the finite nature of our planetary resources becomes ever more apparent within the parameters of this fragile ecosystem.

This pressure on the environment and local communities creates a net snowballing effect of deforestation, exploitation of the indigenous peoples, their resources, labour and intellectual property.

As inflation continues many move to the cities to look for industrial or menial work. This normally leads to a significant reduction in quality of life as health and safety, workers rights, child labour laws, and basic living standards are either eroded or not in existence due to the pressures of free market economic practice. Alternatively in rural and agricultural settings people are forced to exploit the environment either through transnational involvement or as a small holder in an effort to survive economically, these practices further compound the problems of deforestation and environmental pollution.

Add to this the intoxication of the younger generations are by the trappings of modern living and the American dream (mobile phones, brand names, television, etc). Fewer and fewer young people are learning or preserving the wealth of information and experience that these indigenous forest dwellers have distilled and past down from person to person over thousands of years. They are deemed old fashioned and boring in comparison to the plastic fantastic flashing screens and blinky lights that herald the onslaught of consumer culture.

This consumerist based climate marginalizes community based sustainability. Traditional agricultural methods, medicinal and shamanic knowledge and all the benefits associated with these practices are falling by the way side.

The aim of this project is to turn this phenomena around by offering a viable economic and sustainable alternative to protect this exceptionally important ecosystem and the knowledge held within for all generations and our common heritage. Return