Reforestation
Chico Mendes
Pachaj (Guatemala)
April 2021.
We are carrying out our humanitarian mission in Mexico (to be found HERE) aimed at the emancipation of indigenous women when the idea of adding Guatemala to the list calls us out. Not only is it located only two hours from where we are, but the country also has a lot to offer: cultural sites strongly influenced by the Mayan civilization, abundant and breathtaking nature... The discovery of an indigenous NGO dedicated to environmental protection just motivates us even more!
Contents
Problematic
It was only in the 1970s when the world became aware of global warming and its consequences. The gradual rise in temperatures has since quadrupled the number of natural disasters: tsunamis, fires, floods, droughts, hurricanes, etc. Deforestation is no stranger to any of this. In addition to threatening many animal, plant species and weakening soils, the destruction of trees (which consumes a lot of carbon) leads to a sharp increase in greenhouse gases, making deforestation one of the biggest factors of global warming in the world. WWF estimates that nearly 50 million hectares of forest have disappeared over the past 20 years!
If certain natural events (volcanic eruptions, etc.) contribute to this destructive phenomenon, human activities are the most accountable. 80% of total deforestation is caused by agriculture (commercial or subsistence), with the remaining 20% being divided between construction of infrastructure, mining activities and urbanization (WWF, 2021).
Guatemala makes unfortunately no exception to the rule and has for several years been plagued by a vicious circle of intensifying natural disasters, deforestation and poverty. Indeed, despite a rather sustained economic growth, the most populous country in Central America has one of the highest inequality rates in Latin America, with 59% of its population living below the poverty line and 24% in extreme poverty. This poverty is most prevalent in rural areas where indigenous communities are the most important and the rate of malnutrition the highest. Deforestation therefore appears to many as a solution. Simple fuel for heating and cooking, profitable wood trade, extension of agricultural land to cultivate more and earn a little money, mining companies offering jobs to local communities who are very discriminated against… The temptations to deforest are numerous. But the downsides are as strong as this devastating practice. The disappearance of forests leads to an environmental imbalance favourable to natural disasters such as landslides, which are very common in Guatemala. Destroyed, the trees can no longer stabilize the earth and act as shields to protect the inhabitants who now fear the rainy season. The country lost more than 20% of its forests between 2000 and 2018, while occupying the 4th place in the world on the scale of landslides deaths.
Although the Guatemalan government officially supports the fight against global warming, the reality is quite different, as if this issue has become a trend rather than a real concern. The authorities are thus encouraging the sale of certain trees and the issuance of permits to mining companies (gold, silver, bronze, copper) by renting out their advantages (employment, percentage donated which will be used for the construction of infrastructure and for the sectors of education and health). These companies, however, donate only a ridiculous amount of their profits (2%) and do not hesitate to buy the silence of officials to use very harmful chemicals, whether for the biodiversity or the health of locals who develop many diseases.
Political manipulation and corruption are very serious scourges in the country which seriously aggravate deforestation, especially in rural villages. In Pachaj, for example, some farmers are appropriating land through the municipality to clear and cultivate it in exchange for their vote in the next elections. Without the authorities support, it is difficult to raise awareness and initiate behavior change. The task then falls in the hands of associations like Chico Mendes, which make reforestation their fight.
Proyecto De Reforestación Chico Mendes
Chico Mendes is an NGO located in Pachaj, western Guatemala. Its inception dates back to 1998, when three friends disillusioned by local ecological politics begin planting trees in their spare time, sowing the seeds of environmental justice within their indigenous community. Among them, Jorge Armando López Pocol, 26 years old. Together, they create a small nursery with the aim of reforesting the land affected by illegal logging. If Armando's friends turn to other jobs the following year, Armando continues with the project and takes the lead. This is when he gives it the name of "Chico Mendes Reforestation Project" in honor of the fervent defender of the Amazon rainforest.
23 years later, Chico Mendes continues to reshape the world, one tree at a time. But its mission goes much further than a simple reforestation program. Beyond protecting the surrounding forests, the association aims to reverse climate change by involving and empowering the future generation of Guatemalans, by defending severely discriminated against indigenous communities, by cultivating biodiversity and by inciting supporters around the world to act.
Strategies & Activities
Today, the organization plants more than 20,000 trees annually (compared to 5,000 when it was founded) and thanks to the development of two nurseries, grows more than 10 different tree species.
The idea is to replant the endemic trees most affected by deforestation and the most suitable for restoring the environment, but not only. Besides reforestation, Chico Mendes also tries to prevent deforestation by creating protected forest areas through the planting of endangered trees (Pinabete, Aguacatillo) or trees attracting endangered animal species like the Quetzal (national emblem). In 2016, the NGO reforested 15 hectares around the Granja Penal prison in order to first purify the adjacent river contaminated by untreated wastewater and chemical waste from neighboring factories and secondly to protest silently against the government's initiative to expand the prison. The reforestation carried out by Chico Mendes therefore serves several causes: the preservation of fauna and flora, the production of oxygen necessary for the survival of ecosystems, the protection and purification of the water sources that supply the 48,000 inhabitants of the region, the non-violent fight against projects involving the destruction of forests, etc.
The ultimate goal is to become a model accessible to other communities.
To carry out its mission, the association can count on the support of locals, who are gradually becoming aware of the effects of deforestation and global warming (it rained only 7 times in 2018). The team also works closely with the Pachaj cooperative school. Claudia (Armando's wife), who is a teacher there, makes the students aware of the work of Chico Mendes and invites them to discover the NGO through a volunteer program. Since 2004, 3,600 students have thus been able to contribute to reforestation initiatives. Activists from all over the world are also welcome to volunteer. The latter are welcomed into host families within the community.
This is how we were able to take part in the Chico Mendes reforestation project. Throughout our stay, we were accompanied and guided by Armando and his faithful assistant Odi (Odilser Alexander Perez Yac).
Very accessible and available, both took pleasure in answering our (many) questions and explaining us the association's approach. Thanks to them, we were able to realize the importance of the forest for their indigenous community. Considered to be the balance of human beings, the tree represents the heritage of their ancestors.
If the reforestation process takes several years, our visit to Chico Mendes allows us to participate in several fundamental stages of the process which are divided as follows:
1. Preparation of the thinnest compost from three different soils (humus, black earth and white sand)
2. Seeds collection in the forest (at various altitudes depending on the desired seeds)
3. Cutting (optional depending on the species) and classification of seeds (oak in our case) according to their germination potential
4. Arrangement of seeds for about two months in the plots dedicated to germination and setting up of a layer of pine to protect against rain and sunlight
5. Preparation of future planting bags with natural compost
6. After more or less two months of germination, plantation of the germinated seeds in the prepared planting bags
7. For a year (3 to 4 for the Pinabete!), regular cleaning of weeds, daily watering and rotation of plants for better acclimatization
8. Preparation of the area where the trees will be planted: cleaning of weeds and digging of holes
9. Planting from May to August
10. Regular care for 3 years: cleaning weeds, pruning at height. The tree will be able to survive on its own after reaching 2.5 to 3 meters
At the same time, Chico Mendes is carrying out numerous experiments in order to find new types of trees to replant and thus accelerate reforestation. Faced with overconsumption and overexploitation of wood, nature takes a long time to regenerate. 1000 trees are indeed needed to reforest a single deforested hectare! And it takes 15 to 20 years for a forest to acquire the status of a protected area...
Obstacles
Like any NGO, Chico Mendes faces several obstacles in achieving its goals.
In his first years of activity, Armando was threatened several times (sometimes violently) by the government. The warnings are now, let's say, more diplomatic thanks to the arrival and support of international supporters.
More than 22 groups of volunteers had planned to come in 2020. The organization had then prepared 40,000 shrubs for planting (more than ever before). All of them had to cancel because of the pandemic. Without these partnerships, the association sorely lacks the funds to pay its employees, plants all these saplings, and struggles to meet the community's needs.
The government did offer financial aid... in exchange for the NGO's name change and its support FOR mining companies. Armando obviously refused and is actively seeking donors.
Future
Waiting for partnerships, any donation is therefore welcome in order to provide scholarships and jobs to local communities today while planting the forests of tomorrow.
Below are ideas for amounts and what it can concretely do:
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$ 3 can take care of a tree for a full year
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$ 8 allow the purchase of 1000 bags for planting Aguacatillo and Pinabete seedlings (protected species)
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$ 20 is a day salary for an employee
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$ 40 can buy a new wheelbarrow needed to transport trees, compost and soil
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$ 80 to $ 500 represent an entire working day on a reforestation site (wages, transport of people, trees and tools; variable according to the season)
If reforestation is a cause dear to your heart, do not hesitate to share Chico Mendes' work with those around you via this article, the organization's website or its Facebook page.
Local life
Our volunteering mission at Chico Mendes allows us to live one of the most human and touching experiences since the beginning of our journey. As part of the NGO’s program, we are staying with locals to share their daily life. We have the privilege of being welcomed by Angela, her husband Felix and their two sons Angel (3 and a half years old) and José (1 year old).
Like all the inhabitants of the Pachaj community, our host family is indigenous, and more precisely K’iche ’, people related to the Mayas and still very much rooted in traditions. But despite their cultural richness, the indigenous populations of Guatemala face extreme discrimination and live on the society margins. The poverty rate is inevitably very high: it is estimated that 79% of indigenous Guatemalans live in poverty, 40% of whom are in extreme poverty !! The health context does not help with subjects like unemployment which is all the more widespread in these communities. Angela and Felix, who previously made a living from weaving and selling traditional textiles, had to temporarily give up this activity. Felix now works 7 days a week (over 60 hours a week) in the fields to provide for his family while his wife takes care of the children, the kitchen and the house.
Despite their rough living conditions, Angela and Felix feel neither the need nor the urge to own more. Materialism does not fit here. They do not hesitate to give us their bed for our comfort at the expense of their future nights of sleep, and often tell their eldest son how lucky he is to be able to eat and sleep with a roof over his head. They know it can be worse. During our conversations, we understand that they really want only one thing: to learn in order to transmit this knowledge to their children in the hope of offering them a future with better opportunities. Extremely curious about our trip, they ask us about the life and customs in other countries (poverty, standard of living, education, cuisine, religion, languages, etc.) and ask us how their children could one day go abroad to discover this other world. We advise them as best as we can, even though deep down we think they are much better where they are. Those who have not received any volunteers for over a year tell us that they are enriched by each exchange, even if some people “don't bother to converse with us (them) because of our (their) lack of education”. While Felix cannot read or write, and Angela was unable to continue school, their values of respect, solidarity, wisdom, generosity, sharing, kindness and love are unmatched.
Overwhelmed, we enjoy every moment, aware of the authenticity and uniqueness of this experience. We are looking forward to finishing our working days at the NGO to find our little family and share even more of these moments so rich in meaning and which give hope in humanity.
It's hard to say goodbye to them when you know they can't be reached by phone, internet or post. But we still leave them our contact details just in case, hoping with all our hearts to hear from them one day...
Food for thought
What can we say... our experience speaks for itself …
With our plane rides and our plastic cups of orange juice, we are for sure not in the best position to give lessons. However, our volunteering at Chico Mendes acts once again as a reminder: every day, we contribute to deforestation and the destruction of our planet. Our consumption of meat and its derivatives for example… Did you know that animal farming is responsible for 73% of deforestation worldwide? Or that a third of the food produced is lost or wasted (FAO, 2020)?
Behind global warming lies growth, purchasing power, but also hospitals, roads and other infrastructure. Growth finances everything, and it's naturally hard to fight against something that makes our lives better. But as noted by the famous film director and environmentalist Yann Arthus-Bertrand, rich countries have been “able to sacrifice their economy” to preserve life in the face of the pandemic. It is therefore possible to do the same for the Earth.
In the meantime, why not go over a few ideas to, all together, reduce our environmental footprint and attempt to reverse global warming. It is only by taking the smallest steps that we can make big changes.
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There are small everyday actions:
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Recycling
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Reducing plastic consumption in favor of recyclable materials (straws, bottles and reusable packaging, glass bottles, etc.)
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Buying local and/or organic
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Avoiding products containing palm oil
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Reducing meat and animal proteins consumption
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Switching off unused electronic devices instead of leaving them on sleeping mode
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Favoring public transport
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And more occasional gestures:
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Choosing energy efficient appliances
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Using low-consumption light bulbs
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Insulating homes
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Looking at renewable energies (solar panels, electric car, etc.)
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Voting for parties that make ecology their main theme
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Source: Naturevolution
And ESPECIALLY, becoming aware of the consequences of each of our actions and making environmental protection THE global priority.