Despite hosting over 14,000 known plant species1 , Amazonias's biodiversity remains significantly underutilized in commercial markets. Research shows that only about 30 native Amazonian food species regularly appear in markets2, and of the 1,097 native food plant species identified in Brazil, merely 5% have achieved significant commercial scale.3 This untapped potential … [Read more...] about Unlocking Amazonia’s Bioeconomy Through Gastronomy and Resilient Food Systems
Ecosystems and Biodiversity
Enabling Amazonian Bioeconomy is Essential to Reverse Deforestation and Promote Green Growth
The Amazonian rainforest is on the brink of an ecological tipping point. Relentless deforestation and degradation are to blame, mostly to make way for cattle, soy, palm, and to extract minerals and metals. Over 95% of the deforestation in the Brazilian Amazonia rainforest is illegal. The extraction of commodities and perpetration of environmental crimes is driven by market … [Read more...] about Enabling Amazonian Bioeconomy is Essential to Reverse Deforestation and Promote Green Growth
How to Transition to Nature-Positive Economies?
Latin America and the Caribbean play a crucial role in the transition to nature-positive economies. But what does this mean? It involves promoting an economic model that not only minimizes negative environmental impacts but also actively contributes to the regeneration and conservation of ecosystems. This approach is based on the idea that economic activities can and should be … [Read more...] about How to Transition to Nature-Positive Economies?
Rewilding: Restoring Nature’s Delicate Balance, Step by Step
Imagine a world where nature recovers on its own, rivers flow freely, forests thrive, and animals roam their habitats. This is what rewilding is all about—a conservation strategy that allows nature to regenerate and function autonomously. Now, imagine all this happening without compromising the supply of food, timber, fuel, and biodiversity products. It may sound like a distant … [Read more...] about Rewilding: Restoring Nature’s Delicate Balance, Step by Step
Biodiversity Conservation, Essential for a Truly Sustainable Development of Tourism
Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) make up a rich and complex region, home of around 60% of terrestrial life, varied marine and freshwater flora and fauna (UNEP-WCMC, 2016). It encompasses mega-diverse regions such as the Amazon and includes the largest wetlands in the world, such as the Pantanal in Brazil or the Iberá wetlands in Argentina. LAC's biomes include deserts, … [Read more...] about Biodiversity Conservation, Essential for a Truly Sustainable Development of Tourism