The article below was printed in the Daily Times of Malawi. It highlights the link between sustainable tree consumption practices and poverty reduction. Over the past few years, environmental sustainability and resource management have become increasingly large aspects of the World Camp curriculum. As we work to highlight these critical issues, we also seek to provide practical solutions such as solar energy and tree planting. Our simple solar ovens are always a hit with the students who are amazed that a cardboard box covered in aluminum foil can harness the power of the sun so effectively. We're also excited to expand our tree planting impact this January when we will be planting close to 1300 saplings at schools around Lilongwe. Scroll down to see some images of World Campers in action!
Forests can reduce poverty says govt
BY CLIFTON KAWANGA
12:48:44 - 04 December 2008
Sustainable use of natural resources can contribute to poverty reduction, Minister of Energy and Mines Ted Kalebe has said.
The minister, who was the guest of honour at the opening of an international conference on Forest Governance Learning Group (FGLG) in Zomba on Tuesday, said government recognises the role that the forest sector plays.
“The forestry sector contributes 2 percent to the GDP and employs large numbers of people both in the formal and informal sectors in Malawi,” he said.
The forestry sector provides about 90 percent of energy requirements in Malawi.
“Forests play a significant role in supporting the livelihoods of many smallholder farmers by providing energy for cooking, food, medicines, fruits, shade and water,” he said.
Head of the Natural Resources Group at International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) James Mayers said many forest problems boil down to questions of injustice.
“More powerful interests manipulate the system at the expense of those who have the rights to access and the abilities to manage forests,” he said.
About 85 percent of the population depends entirely on forests and trees for their fuel wood, timber, poles and traditional medicine.
According to the World Development Report, GDP growth originating from agriculture is about four times more effective in reducing poverty than GDP growth originating outside the sector.
Since the majority of Malawians depend on agriculture, population growth has led to the clearing of forests for agriculture.
This has put pressure on natural resources, hence the need for the majority to take part in the management of forests.
According to this year’s Annual Economic Report, the country continues to suffer from forest degradation largely because of poverty, population growth, agricultural expansion, infrastructural development and over dependency on wood fuel for energy.
Malawi departed from the previous strategies with the inception of The National Forest Policy in 1996.
The policy provides the basis for communities to conserve and sustainably use forest resources.
The focus of FGLG workshop is ‘Locally Controlled Forestry’ and it is designed to help the participants to take stock of achievements made by FGLG in the past four years.
FGLG is a groundbreaking initiative of (IIED) with country based teams in Cameroon , Malawi ,Mozambique , Ghana, India, Indonesia, South Africa , Uganda and Vietnam .
Each team brings together researchers, policymakers, NGOs, and representatives from communities and businesses to identify how to manage forests for social and economic benefit in a sustainable way.
The European Union has provided technical and financial support through IIED.
The workshop which started on Tuesday will end on Friday and has pooled together participants from the aforementioned countries under the IIED.
BY CLIFTON KAWANGA
12:48:44 - 04 December 2008
Sustainable use of natural resources can contribute to poverty reduction, Minister of Energy and Mines Ted Kalebe has said.
The minister, who was the guest of honour at the opening of an international conference on Forest Governance Learning Group (FGLG) in Zomba on Tuesday, said government recognises the role that the forest sector plays.
“The forestry sector contributes 2 percent to the GDP and employs large numbers of people both in the formal and informal sectors in Malawi,” he said.
The forestry sector provides about 90 percent of energy requirements in Malawi.
“Forests play a significant role in supporting the livelihoods of many smallholder farmers by providing energy for cooking, food, medicines, fruits, shade and water,” he said.
Head of the Natural Resources Group at International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) James Mayers said many forest problems boil down to questions of injustice.
“More powerful interests manipulate the system at the expense of those who have the rights to access and the abilities to manage forests,” he said.
About 85 percent of the population depends entirely on forests and trees for their fuel wood, timber, poles and traditional medicine.
According to the World Development Report, GDP growth originating from agriculture is about four times more effective in reducing poverty than GDP growth originating outside the sector.
Since the majority of Malawians depend on agriculture, population growth has led to the clearing of forests for agriculture.
This has put pressure on natural resources, hence the need for the majority to take part in the management of forests.
According to this year’s Annual Economic Report, the country continues to suffer from forest degradation largely because of poverty, population growth, agricultural expansion, infrastructural development and over dependency on wood fuel for energy.
Malawi departed from the previous strategies with the inception of The National Forest Policy in 1996.
The policy provides the basis for communities to conserve and sustainably use forest resources.
The focus of FGLG workshop is ‘Locally Controlled Forestry’ and it is designed to help the participants to take stock of achievements made by FGLG in the past four years.
FGLG is a groundbreaking initiative of (IIED) with country based teams in Cameroon , Malawi ,Mozambique , Ghana, India, Indonesia, South Africa , Uganda and Vietnam .
Each team brings together researchers, policymakers, NGOs, and representatives from communities and businesses to identify how to manage forests for social and economic benefit in a sustainable way.
The European Union has provided technical and financial support through IIED.
The workshop which started on Tuesday will end on Friday and has pooled together participants from the aforementioned countries under the IIED.
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