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 Amazon region is highly dependant on hydrocarbons (fossil fuels) due to the distances people and goods need to be transported and the increasing pressure of capitalism. Combined with a hyper developing industrial economy it is creating high regional inflation as the finite nature of 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 indigenous peoples, their resources, labour and intellectual property.

As inflation continues many move to the cities to look for industrial or menial work. This can lead 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 even in existence due to the lack of infrastructure development. Alternatively in rural and agricultural settings people are forced to exploit the environment industrialisation and unsustainable practice in an effort to survive the economic realities of capitalism. These practices then compound the problems of deforestation and environmental pollution.

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

This consumerist based climate also 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