Suriname pledges to protect 90% of forests, Pg2

Key Highlights:

• Suriname pledged to permanently protect 90% of its tropical forests during Climate Week in New York City.
• Foreign Minister Melvin W.J. Bouva delivered the pledge on behalf of President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons.
• 93% of Suriname is heavily forested, and it is one of three countries that absorbs more carbon dioxide than it emits.
• A coalition of environmental donors has committed $20 million to help finance the forest protection effort.

Detailed Insights:

• Suriname's pledge surpasses the "30x30" global target, a UN-backed goal to protect 30% of land and oceans by 2030.
• The government aims to update conservation laws by the end of the year, potentially recognizing ancestral lands of Indigenous and Maroon peoples.
• Illegal mining, logging, and roadbuilding pose threats to communities, requiring international support for sustainable alternatives.
• Suriname's rainforests are home to diverse species, including jaguars, giant river otters, and over 700 bird species, making their protection vital for the global climate.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Carbon Credit: A permit representing one tonne of carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere.
• Ecotourism: Tourism directed toward exotic, often threatened, natural environments, intended to support conservation efforts.
• Deforestation: The clearing of forests for other land uses.