THE TS BLOG + NEWS

A Rainforest Utility Bill?

› Posted November 3, 2008, by Kevin Havice

In the past 50 years, a third of the world's rainforests have been felled and burned, and the rate of destruction is increasing.

The Prince of Wales yesterday put forth a proposal to have developed nations pay a "rainforest utility bill" for the services the tropical forests provide globally, which include the provision of oxygen for the atmosphere, fresh water, and biodiversity. The speech was delivered to the Indonesian president and his cabinet in Jakarta, a short drive from the Tropical Salvage production facility.

Said Charles: "These funds could be provided directly by developed world governments, perhaps from expanded development aid budgets, from surcharges on activities which cause climate change or from the auction of carbon market emission allowances ... The issuing entity would pay the proceeds from the bonds to the rainforest nations. They in turn would use the money to re-orientate their economies to halt or refrain from deforestation."

Prince Charles proposes that because the world's remaining rainforests provide the above-mentioned benefits for everyone around the world, plus many additional local benefits; because people from developed countries like Europe and the United States have led the historical and continuing destruction of the rainforests; and because we can foresee a nearly complete loss of the already much-diminished forests (and their benefits) within our lifetimes, therefore, it is time we pay a "utility bill" for the benefits we receive, and to ensure the continued existence tropical forests.

More information: Prince's Rainforests Project