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Quarterly Update Spring 2020 3

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Quarterly Update Spring 2020 3 Quarterly Update Spring 2020 3 With positive news somewhat thin on the ground lately, we wanted to cut through the uncertainty with an update jam-packed with goodness. Thanks to your commitment to conservation and effective climate action, you have helped us to achieve the following rainforest success stories. An inherent belief in the power of people and support from smart businesses like you keeps us going in difficult times. By helping local communities, embracing indigenous knowledge and planning for a sustainable future, we will continue to protect rainforest together through challenges that come our way. In March, we celebrated Women’s Month, and in this report we’re introducing you to some of those incredible women from our partnerships. From a mother’s determination to secure her son’s education in Mozambique to the women changing their future and finances in Cambodia, their dedication and accomplishments are inspiring. We can’t, of course, bring you an update without addressing the impact of coronavirus and what that means for Cool Earth. On page 19, Cool Earth’s Programmes team address the questions you’ve been asking. One thing is clear, Cool Earth will continue to support local people, whatever the conditions. With time, we are sure that we will be able to reflect and learn from the collective steps we have taken as a global community, and apply them to the climate crisis. For now, we remain committed to supporting our partners, raising the profile of rainforest protection, and giving our supporters a positive, steady stream of conservation optimism. Thank you, Crocodile wardens Yem Khouen and Sim Kmao patrol the river by Matthew Owen, Director boat to protect the endangered Siamese Crocodile. Cardamom Mountains, Cambodia. Peru 5 Tajimat Pujut: Wellbeing and development When it comes to wellbeing and development, protecting for years. With social, cultural and all too often it’s one or the other, at the expense environmental sustainability often ignored when of both indigenous rights and rainforest. it comes to infrastructure, indigenous wellbeing and how communities use their land now needs But there is a way for them to go hand in hand. to be an equal part of any plan in the forest. A community-led approach to conservation “Putting wellbeing embraces and learns from local traditions, above economic growth while scaling up and supporting sustainable is something we may development. By utilising the latest forest monitoring technology, Cool Earth is never understand. It could helping local people progress in a way even cost us the fight that reduces pressure on the forest and to against climate change. be aware of the threats that unsustainable There’s a lot for us to development may pose. learn from the Awajún.” The inextricable link between forest and - Martin Simonneau, Programme Manager wellbeing is regarded by many as the Awajún secret weapon to counter repeated Alongside reports from the Awajún, Cool threats faced throughout their history. Earth is able to identify increased levels of deforestation occurring near roads using It’s why the Awajún have held on fast to the data and satellite technology. By calculating concept of Tajimat Pujut. Loosely translated as the likelihood of deforestation as a result of wellbeing, Tajimat Pujut is key for those of us transport infrastructure, Cool Earth can support who want to protect the future of our planet. local people with the knowledge needed to keep forest standing. Newly constructed roads are bringing consumerism and unsustainable development Understanding the context and needs of local The village of Urakuza, to the doorstep of the Awajún, not only communities not only helps to preserve culture, in Cool Earth’s Awajún threatening local culture but also placing but is also essential if we are to find the best Partnership, on the banks pressure on the vital ecosystems they have been ways of protecting rainforest long term. of the Rio Marañon. Peru Amarno make a range of 7 jewellery from seeds and materials found in the forest. Meet Drocila: Keeping Awajún stories, and forest, alive. Seeds are dried and drilled before being threaded and made into jewellery. “I hope that my children Determined to provide for her family and open are better than me, that’s up opportunities for her children, Drocila is also helping to share Awajún traditions and stories why I strive to be able to by reaching out to sell at local markets. educate my children.” It’s a style and substance method of helping Vivienne Westwood selected the distinctive women earn a living, and keep sharing the Armaro jewellery for her 2016 catwalk show. importance of keeping forest standing. And with Drocila at the helm as Vice President, natural jewellery-cooperative Amarno is Read more going from strength to strength. Mozambique At 2,419m, Mount Namuli is the second highest 9 mountain in Mozambique, towering 1,600 metres above the surrounding plateau. A real buzz around Mount Namuli When it comes to small-scale, daily actions for Cool Earth and partner organisation Legado, the planet, some things are just wired into our local communities are harnessing the potential brains like remembering your reusable bags, bees have to offer, and earning a living too. avoiding palm oil and saving the bees. Supporters like you have funded training for From a young age, we are taught about the twenty local beekeepers, who have been importance of bees. These buzzing, flower- provided with technical help on sustainable seeking workers keep our food systems going honey production and harvesting techniques. from dawn till dusk. Understated champions of With access to a market for their honey and agriculture and food chains, bees need to be continued community awareness building, celebrated and protected. alternative income opportunities are aiding the control of fires. They are the smallest members of our Mozambique partnership and have been a Training beekeepers in more sustainable hive of activity lately. methods is a priority in the coming months. In Beekeeping is providing an income and improving financial resilience the past, the collection of wild honey meant for the communities of Namuli. The forested corridors that line Mount Namuli the physical destruction of the colony, as well and its lush river valleys are home to peach, as the surrounding trees. Now, by reducing eucalyptus and namuresse trees. Like the local the use of fire, local people are protecting the traditional healers or “curandeira”, bees forage bees’ homes and food sources. these flowers until they find all the ingredients needed to produce honey. As a sweet reward, local people are producing honey to sell and becoming Yet life in recent years has been a challenge for financially resilient. By supporting beekeepers, the humble Namuli bee. Intensive agriculture there is also the knock-on effect of keeping and plumes of smoke from fires lit to clear forest the forest healthy for the bees and other have destroyed natural hives and rid the ground species too. of flowering plants. This has bees to higher altitudes to seek out food from the forest. When it comes to saving the rainforest, it’s proving to be the little things that make the Recently though, the winds of change are biggest changes. clearing the air. With the support of Mozambique 11 Basiliana Joao: Mother, optimist, conservationist. Sitting outside her house in the foothills of Mount Namuli, Basiliana proudly told us about her son Filomonio’s work as a conservationist. “I really like that Filomonio has his job and is enjoying himself.” Only afterwards did we learn just how dedicated Basiliana was in helping her son achieve his dreams. Read the full story Cambodia Crocodile wardens Yem 13 and Sim regularly check on nests to make sure they haven’t been disturbed. Success stories from the Cardamom Mountains Two species living in balance with one Cool Earth is working alongside partner another, for mutual benefit and survival. organisation Fauna & Flora International to address just that. By partnering conservation Symbiotic relationships have fascinated and livelihoods projects with indigenous environmentalists for years. If one is communities, local people can earn a living threatened, the other feels it rapidly. As whilst protecting their forest. communities are pressured into losing their land to intensive industries like logging, It’s proving to be a real success. The thousands of wildlife species are feeling the protection of key species including the strain too. When this happens, we all lose Siamese crocodile, has improved significantly. out. It’s difficult to comprehend just how This critically endangered reptile has been closely our survival is directly related to the severely impacted in the past, with just preservation of key species. 250 estimated to be living in Cambodian rivers now. A breeding centre ensures baby A juvenile Siamese crocodile These symbiotic relationships are happening all crocodiles can mature safely before being that has been bred for release around us. The local Khmer Deaum people of released. This reintroduction of a key species at the Phnom Tmao rescue the Cardamom Mountains know this better than into the local ecosystem is a real turning point, centre near Phnom Penh. anyone. Here, everything is from the forest. demonstrating success in terms of population recovery and the long-term viability and health The Kingdom of Wonder, as Cambodia of the rainforest ecosystem. It also means that is affectionately known, is a global local people are employed in the breeding biodiversity hotspot. But like many places, centre and as wardens patrolling the river, it is experiencing the challenge of trained in data collection and monitoring developing its economy while protecting crocodile numbers. its natural resources. Indigenous peoples’ symbiotic relationship with the forest is The next phase of planned conservation efforts increasingly under threat as a result.
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