Peru

If illegal logging continues at the current pace, the Amazon rainforest could be destroyed within decades. To halt the destruction, Peru has created a special force of 3,000 officers to be known as the Environment Police.

Summaries and links to several of the more interesting ecologically-related stories to come out of South American countries in the past month.

The big environmental news coming out of Peru this past week was that a huge waterfall previously unknown to the greater world was “discovered” in the country’s Amazon Rainforest region.

This story describes why DVDs are not rented in Peru, and how the subsequent increase in DVDs ending up in the trash will contribute to pollution in the country.

Describes Peru's illegal wildlife trade, and why it might be so hard to combat.

Discusses the first community level wind power project in Peru. Small turbines are used to provide electricity to a town high in the Andes Mountains, where electricity was previously unavailable.

A recent report commissioned by the Andean Community (CAN) concludes that by 2025 the impacts of global climate change will cost the four CAN nations together about US$30 billion annually, or roughly an average 4.5% of their annual gross domestic product (GDP).

After years of refusing to accept the offers of these chains, the Government of Cuzco finally approved the opening of their stores in the Main Square! It was a sad day for many Peruvians....

Geotourism is the type of tourism that not only sustains and preservers the environment, but is also committed to respecting cultural sensitivities and building on local heritage. Geotourism enhances the geographical character of a place and community involvement is essential.