Rain forests are fast depleting from the face of our planet courtesy deforestation from illegal logging and clearing forests for plantation. The problem in curbing deforestation is directly linked to the livelihood of the local community whether in Asia, Africa or South America. Unless an alternative livelihood is arranged for the poor population in these regions, any efforts of putting a hold on deforestation will not work.
In last December’s Climate Change Conference in Bali, a possible solution to the problem has emerged. It has been proposed to start an international negotiation by which countries plagued with destruction of their rain forests would be rewarded in their efforts in preventing further deforestation with monetary reward from a fund directly financed by the world’s rich countries. These countries will also be granted ‘carbon credits’ that they could trade with the rich countries. This new initiative known as Reducing Emissions and Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) is expected to save the remnant tropical rain forests and would curtail the rapid pace of global warming.





















