A catastrophe in the making

#1 05-09-2007, 02:22 PM

According to the latest news Haiti's deforestation has left the country with about 1% of tree coverage and now the illicit market of coal is growing in the DR to meet demand.

http://www.dr1.com/index.html#10

My question is could it get any worse in Haiti? Goodness gracious when will people realize that whatever government they have had or does have just won't work? These people can't govern themselves nor even take care of their own people nor their environment. I can't get over how much popluar opinion there is in the world that somehow the DR or Western countries are to blame.

The UN needs to just set up a new system of government like the US did in Japan or Germany and take it from there. The Haitians obviously have no idea what is good for them and if they continue it will spill over to the DR. These people are as far back into the Dark Ages as could be possible in todays world. Life is cheap and the people are desparate. Earth to world - quit blaming the DR for Haiti's problems and act to make some real change - not feel good "hot air"!!!!!!!

Mirador · #2 05-09-2007, 02:44 PM

Chip, my post #54 on thread is relevant to your question here.

qgrande · #3 05-09-2007, 02:44 PM

I don't see any blaim put on the DR or the West in this, more Listin Diario blaiming Haiti for Dominican deforestation happening within the DR by Dominicans.
Haitian deforestation is not new, and right now the feeling within Haiti is one of geniune optimism that Preval is bringing the stability the country has not had for so long. So, yes, a good time for the world to step in and make some real change.

#4 05-09-2007, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qgrande

I don't see any blaim put on the DR or the West in this, more Listin Diario blaiming Haiti for Dominican deforestation happening within the DR by Dominicans.
Haitian deforestation is not new, and right now the feeling within Haiti is one of geniune optimism that Preval is bringing the stability the country has not had for so long. So, yes, a good time for the world to step in and make some real change.

I wasn't talking about this issue specifically but other issues in Haiti and other third It has been discussed quite frequently in the debates section. What I'm referencing to with regards to the DR/Haiti issues and with regards to Western countries being blamed this is "broader" indictment by my part on the overly political correct attitude that somehow Western thought and capitalism is really what has caused such suffering in third world countries. This "idealism" is a prevalent undercurrent of influence in todays liberal politically correct press.

aegap · #5 05-09-2007, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mirador

Chip, my post #54 on thread is relevant to your question here.

there're also some very good stuff been done in that area too. The following article almost brought tears into my eyes. OK, not really but, ...

Listín Diario Digital - El periódico de los dominicanos

just yesterday, ..

Sociedad Ecológica del Cibao (SOECI) 30 años en la conciencia ambiental dominicana

To increase the Dominican north region’s forest cover this week the Cibao Ecological Society (SOECI) begins planting 100,000 endemic and native trees in several areas of the Northern Mountain Range, where deforestation has increased in the last few years.
The planting will begin next Wednesday in the reserve Diego de Ocampo Peak and in the Jacagua river basin.
Among the varieties to be planted figure almond, walnut, mahogany, Creole oak, cedar and olive.
SOECI president Nelson Bautista said the varieties will be distributed among the different organizations that will participate in the operation in the coming days.

Sociedad Ecológica del Cibao (SOECI) 30 años en la conciencia ambiental dominicana

Mirador · #6 05-09-2007, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aegap

there're also some very good stuff been done in that area too. The following article almost brought tears into my eyes. OK, not really but, ...

Listín Diario Digital - El periódico de los dominicanos

just yesterday, ..

http://dominicantribune.com/app/article.aspx?id=23820

The article is misleading, giving the impression that it is an organized and controlled activity by the government's forestry administration. The reality is otherwise. It is an informal activity carried out by campesinos in every province of the SW (not just around Tamayo, Barahona) who have no anternative means of agricultural subsistance. The depradation is larger than what the article suggests, and the government (or ngo organizations) has absolutely no control over the massive deforestation it is causing. I have pics and film on it... Maybe I should post one of my video clips on charcoal kiln making in the SW....

aegap · #7 05-09-2007, 03:55 PM

I've seen it first hand myself too. I've also seen first hand the great job some private organazations have been doing and how the government often time is a sort of annoyance they must deal with. One that really was impressed by is the job the W.K. Kellogg foundation has done in 'through Plan Sierra, in 'conjunction' with the government:

W.K. Kellogg Foundation: Plan Sierra - LAC General Grantmaking Programming

#8 05-09-2007, 04:03 PM

aegap

I can guess from your sarcasm that what is really going on in the southeast is government sponsored forestation right? All the stuff about sustainability is just propoganda it appears.

Also, "Dry forest" to me seems to be a forest on the verge of failure as trees need lots of water to grow.

Hillbilly · #9 05-09-2007, 04:55 PM

Actually, Chip, "dry forest" refers to the mesquite forests, as well as other varieties. These are indigenous, semi-desert trees that will re-grow after harvesting of the wood for charcoal. There are several of the farms under government permit.

If well managed, something that has been done, they provide a sustainable economic base for rural dwellers.

HB

#10 05-09-2007, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hillbilly

Actually, Chip, "dry forest" refers to the mesquite forests, as well as other varieties. These are indigenous, semi-desert trees that will re-grow after harvesting of the wood for charcoal. There are several of the farms under government permit.

If well managed, something that has been done, they provide a sustainable economic base for rural dwellers.

HB

Well that is a bit of good news and it truly makes me happy that this country is expending effort to protect at least some of it's resources, renewable or otherwise.