News Archives » deforestation
Statement on Nat’l Roads Dev. Project, Kalimantan, Indonesia: Delivered to the Asia Dev. Bank (ADB) by Fr. Séamus Finn, OMI October 14th, 2021
While recently visiting Tewksbury, MA, Fr. Séamus Finn, OMI had the privilege and opportunity to have a conversation with Fr. Lucien Bouchard, OMI who spent over 25 years on the island of Borneo (Kalimantan) where the Oblates have maintained a missionary presence since 1977.
(Click here to read more about Fr. Lucien Bouchard, OMI)
Their discussion informed this written statement, which Fr. Séamus delivered to a session of the Asia Development Bank meeting here in Washington., DC on October 13, 2021.
Related story: Borneo’s last remaining pristine rainforest under threat from proposed Infrastructure Project funded by Asian Development Bank
Stations of the Forest March 10th, 2014
We would like to thank the Columban Fathers for the powerful Stations of the Forest video. It is a compelling narrative of the destruction of the forest that has ruined ecosystems from the Philippines to Brazil – a destruction that imperils the world.
Following the format of The Stations of the Cross this prayerful resource laments the stages in the death of part of God’s Creation. It incorporates issues related to rainforest destruction: extractive industries, loss of biodiversity and climate change.
A Booklet accompanies the DVD, providing the script, an agenda for meetings, a reflection on the Stations, and prayers. (download booklet here)
Download – The Grace of Forests Lenten resource
Forest Peoples Programme Newsletter Available in Three Languages July 22nd, 2011
Given the increasingly urgent threat of climate change, efforts to reduce CO2 emissions from deforestation and forest degradation have led to sustained calls by indigenous peoples and concerned NGOs that forest peoples’ rights must be secured. These programs, known as REDD, are supposed to respect human rights and ensure the effective participation of indigenous peoples and local communities. Funders are to ‘safeguard’ these principles and ensure countries observe their international obligations.
Learn more in the newsletter of the Forest Peoples Programme, available also in Spanish and French.
Puede leer nuestro boletín de noticias en español
Lisez notre e-newsletter en français
Forest Peoples Programme supports forest peoples to secure and sustainably manage their forests, lands and livelihoods.
Their strategies to achieve this include:
(a) promoting the rights and interests of forest peoples at local, national and international levels;
(b) creating space for forest peoples to have an effective voice in decision-making processes;
(c) challenging top-down policies and projects that deprive local peoples of resources;
(d) coordinating support among environmental organizations for forest peoples’ vision;
(e) supporting community-led sustainable forest management; and
(f) publicizing forest peoples’ plight through research, analysis and documentation.
For more information, visit the Forest Peoples Programme website.
Companies Respond to Consumer Demands on Environment July 1st, 2010
Activist campaigns targeting corporations have been surprisingly successful in changing corporate behavior and “greening” supply chains, particularly with regard to timber and beef products. For continued success though, consumers need to signal a clear preference for sustainably produced goods.
A Yale Environment 360 article details one campaign’s success:
Click here to read more »
