Great job on demonstrating the issues and workings of REDD through your case study. Although REDD is a popular way to reduce the effects of global climate change it is also strongly tied to biological engineering and carbon offsets, which I feel are not explained in depth in your blog. With carbon offsets becoming an increasingly popular method of carbon trading the demand for offset projects is growing, since offsets effectively reduce the burden of emissions reductions by industrialized nations allowing them to invest in projects in developing countries, hence, relocating emissions (Chafe and French). Establishing forests is not necessarily difficult in comparison to other mitigation efforts, therefore, REDD is a popular method of generating carbon offset credits; however, the problem is that now REDD forests are not only used for their functions, but are also being used as investments as carbon sinks. Therefore, there are sometimes multiple owners of one area of land, with one party holding tenure over the land's resources and the other having rights to the carbon properties of a particular forest collecting offset credits. With different priorities and cultural customs conflict often arises that can involve governments, private investors, and local indigenous individuals. These conflicting interests can jeopardize the rights of indigenous populations as national governments use their power to overtake land rights from local people excluding them from revenue generated by the land (Cotula and Mayers). Therefore, the rights and limits when several owners are involved must be clearly defined and methods of doing so should be explored.
This blog addressed the land tenure issue involved with REDD to a high degree with informed analysis and lots of good information. Yet, with these different solutions to climate change I think there should have been more focus on the environmental aspect of it and the economic viability of the program instead of such a large focus on indigenous groups rights. I think that by including the large potential for capital exchange on the global carbon market as well as more information on how bioengineering or the clear cutting and subsequent replanting of plantation style forests would have be beneficial to an analysis of REDD. I did like the information included in the case study on some of the economic viability of the forests that could be protected but at the same time during the analysis there was no potential for a positive outcome. REDD is extremely economically viable and without plantation style forests has a lot of potential. And to conclude, you accurately pointed out that the viability of this option depends on land tenure issues and in my view whether or not the world is going to recognize this.
I really enjoyed this blog as REDD is not something I have come across prior to this class, perhaps because of my limited experience in the Geography department. I also agree with most of the analysis on this blog and feel that REDD has a lot of potential given proper regulations and enforcement. I appreciated the attention given to the issue of land tenure previously addressed through the Cotula and Mayers reading. This remains possibly the largest setback to REDD programs as reforestation initiatives often ignore indigenous land rights and displace local populations, forcing people to clear other lands for resettlement and negating the benefits of new forests on climate change. This calls into mind issues of justice as well; forcing policymakers to consider the lack of local representation reminiscent of Panamanian case studies provided by Finley-Brook and Thomas. The case study of Indonesia was particularly useful in assessing the effects of neglected land tenure and the current failures of the REDD system. Overall, I think a conclusion which tied together other impacts or factors might have been useful as well, echoing the New Consumers' concept that offset programs are not enough; we must curb and reduce our emissions to create real impact and change.
REDD stood out to me because the concept for one, was very unique, but also for its detrimental surrounding environmental and social issues. With this blog, I was able to get a clear and concise overview of what the process of REDD entails and exactly what types of issues come out of it. The blog focused primarily on governmental policies as well as indigenous rights which was fantastic but paid very little attention on environmental concerns. The case study on Indonesia pointed out environmental issues such as illegal logging and mismanaged agricultural practices, but that does not technically address environmental concerns; but more social. With a price on forests, indigenous people not only lose their rights and resources over these lands but also lose their spiritual value for these forests, an environment they were brought up with. With these market incentives, people overlook the environmental issues and focus solely on the profits received. This idea ties into the creation of genetically modified tree plantations in which companies, developers and governments invest in these GM projects for the sole purpose of "making up" for the loss of real forests. Instead of focusing GM tree plantations on helping climate change through bioengineering and REDD, they look to gain profit from what those plantations could later give them (paper, etc.). Clearly, as we learned from the bio engineer group, a series of devastating environmental and social effects come along with those GM trees. Overall, the blog was great but it would even be better if they touched up REDD-Plus and discussed some of the adjustments made based on earlier failures or successes.
Hi REDD group! I thought your blog was wonderful but felt that it could have benefitted from more detailed information in your explanation of Indonesia's R-plan and an analysis of social justice issues regarding offsetting, specifically the idea that all carbon offsetting programs facilitate what Peck calls "carbon colonialism" (Peck, 2008: 34). Additionally, I would have appreciated more focus on the need for long-term economically and environmentally viable indigenous industries as a way of empowering forest dwelling groups and strengthening tenure claims (Cotula & Mayers, 2009). Your blog made me think of several questions about REDD's future including concerns over the enforcement of indigenous rights and how the developed world construes the "wilderness." Enforcement of customary land rights is necessary for REDD's success. Based on the fact that the Indonesian government has given itself the right to override customary land rights for the sake of public interest, enforcement of indigenous rights will almost have to come from a transnational authority. This made me question the appeal of a program that requires other nations (most likely developed nations) to step in and police (or at least monitor) REDD nations. Also, the case study and Earth Report video under the "Tenure Challenges" subpage made me question how the developed world conceptualizes nature conservation. Specifically, it appears that we (the developed world) are so removed from nature that we view it as a pristine wilderness that human contact necessarily degrades and destroys. Thus, in preserving nature, we seek to push people off of the lands that they depend on for survival. I feel that a more inclusive view of nature encapsulating people and environment is needed to justly employ REDD schemes.
References:
Cotula, L. and J. Mayers. (2009). Tenure in REDD: Start-point or afterthought? International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED).
Peck, J. (2008). Forgive my carbon sin. Ecologist 38(4): 30-35.
Good work on the REDD blog. This is continuing to be an important issue to track in the search for a solution to climate change because it is gaining so much international momentum. In theory it is meant to benefit stewards of the environment, in many cases local communities living in the forests. However several problems arise once one delves deeper in the REDD scheme. In your blog you provide a good explanation of the tenure issues associated with REDD, as populations may be displaced as a result of the forest management practices. Although those problems are outlined extensively, through the Issues tab and the Case Study, there is no thorough clarification of the REDD process for those that may not be knowledgeable. It is addressed, but could be explored more, though the video on the Introduction page is a good start. That may inhibit the true comprehension of viewers. In spite of that, tenure issues are covered to a great extent and explained in a manner that allows a viewer to see the negative nature in this framework. One thing I feel that should covered more are the additional effects of REDD on the environment. It is stated in the Case Study page briefly, but the impacts of illegal logging, monoculture plantations, Genetically Modified trees, and mismanaged practices could be addressed further because otherwise it may be unclear as to why those problems exist. Also, it could be helpful to state the countries that REDD is currently being implemented in. There are no external links to outside web sites, which could be a way to positively enhance the material. Overall, this is an informative and useful blog to uncover relevant issues associated with the REDD plan. Anyone that has no previous knowledge of the subject would directly gain by engaging in this site.
Great job! You guys took on a very challenging subject and were able to break it down so it could be easily understood. The section on REDD issues walked the reader through exactly that – the issues that have arisen as a result of REDD. And, choosing a case study was a very smart thing to do. It allowed the blog to focus on some very specific details and kept the blog from being too focused only on the academic side of REDD.
There were a couple of areas in which you could have improved, though. Specifically, I think the page with the Indonesia case study was a little wordy. This is not to say that the information was unnecessary, but it would have helped if you had maybe made a parent page with links to a couple of other pages where you could have highlighted some of the issues in a little more detail.
“…we have determined that REDD is a workable program to mitigate climate change if and only if it is under proper governance and critically incorporates indigenous groups in policy making initiatives.’ -Text from the ‘Analysis’ page
I really like the conclusion that you drew at the end. Just because you saw problems with the system that is in place now did not make you discard the underlying idea. I think this is going to be the challenge going forward – working on such a global scale, can we ensure protection of rights while effectively rewarding people for protecting the environment? Only time will tell…
Great job on demonstrating the issues and workings of REDD through your case study. Although REDD is a popular way to reduce the effects of global climate change it is also strongly tied to biological engineering and carbon offsets, which I feel are not explained in depth in your blog. With carbon offsets becoming an increasingly popular method of carbon trading the demand for offset projects is growing, since offsets effectively reduce the burden of emissions reductions by industrialized nations allowing them to invest in projects in developing countries, hence, relocating emissions (Chafe and French). Establishing forests is not necessarily difficult in comparison to other mitigation efforts, therefore, REDD is a popular method of generating carbon offset credits; however, the problem is that now REDD forests are not only used for their functions, but are also being used as investments as carbon sinks. Therefore, there are sometimes multiple owners of one area of land, with one party holding tenure over the land's resources and the other having rights to the carbon properties of a particular forest collecting offset credits. With different priorities and cultural customs conflict often arises that can involve governments, private investors, and local indigenous individuals. These conflicting interests can jeopardize the rights of indigenous populations as national governments use their power to overtake land rights from local people excluding them from revenue generated by the land (Cotula and Mayers). Therefore, the rights and limits when several owners are involved must be clearly defined and methods of doing so should be explored.
This blog addressed the land tenure issue involved with REDD to a high degree with informed analysis and lots of good information. Yet, with these different solutions to climate change I think there should have been more focus on the environmental aspect of it and the economic viability of the program instead of such a large focus on indigenous groups rights. I think that by including the large potential for capital exchange on the global carbon market as well as more information on how bioengineering or the clear cutting and subsequent replanting of plantation style forests would have be beneficial to an analysis of REDD. I did like the information included in the case study on some of the economic viability of the forests that could be protected but at the same time during the analysis there was no potential for a positive outcome. REDD is extremely economically viable and without plantation style forests has a lot of potential. And to conclude, you accurately pointed out that the viability of this option depends on land tenure issues and in my view whether or not the world is going to recognize this.
I really enjoyed this blog as REDD is not something I have come across prior to this class, perhaps because of my limited experience in the Geography department. I also agree with most of the analysis on this blog and feel that REDD has a lot of potential given proper regulations and enforcement. I appreciated the attention given to the issue of land tenure previously addressed through the Cotula and Mayers reading. This remains possibly the largest setback to REDD programs as reforestation initiatives often ignore indigenous land rights and displace local populations, forcing people to clear other lands for resettlement and negating the benefits of new forests on climate change. This calls into mind issues of justice as well; forcing policymakers to consider the lack of local representation reminiscent of Panamanian case studies provided by Finley-Brook and Thomas. The case study of Indonesia was particularly useful in assessing the effects of neglected land tenure and the current failures of the REDD system. Overall, I think a conclusion which tied together other impacts or factors might have been useful as well, echoing the New Consumers' concept that offset programs are not enough; we must curb and reduce our emissions to create real impact and change.
REDD stood out to me because the concept for one, was very unique, but also for its detrimental surrounding environmental and social issues. With this blog, I was able to get a clear and concise overview of what the process of REDD entails and exactly what types of issues come out of it. The blog focused primarily on governmental policies as well as indigenous rights which was fantastic but paid very little attention on environmental concerns. The case study on Indonesia pointed out environmental issues such as illegal logging and mismanaged agricultural practices, but that does not technically address environmental concerns; but more social. With a price on forests, indigenous people not only lose their rights and resources over these lands but also lose their spiritual value for these forests, an environment they were brought up with. With these market incentives, people overlook the environmental issues and focus solely on the profits received. This idea ties into the creation of genetically modified tree plantations in which companies, developers and governments invest in these GM projects for the sole purpose of "making up" for the loss of real forests. Instead of focusing GM tree plantations on helping climate change through bioengineering and REDD, they look to gain profit from what those plantations could later give them (paper, etc.). Clearly, as we learned from the bio engineer group, a series of devastating environmental and social effects come along with those GM trees. Overall, the blog was great but it would even be better if they touched up REDD-Plus and discussed some of the adjustments made based on earlier failures or successes.
Hi REDD group! I thought your blog was wonderful but felt that it could have benefitted from more detailed information in your explanation of Indonesia's R-plan and an analysis of social justice issues regarding offsetting, specifically the idea that all carbon offsetting programs facilitate what Peck calls "carbon colonialism" (Peck, 2008: 34). Additionally, I would have appreciated more focus on the need for long-term economically and environmentally viable indigenous industries as a way of empowering forest dwelling groups and strengthening tenure claims (Cotula & Mayers, 2009). Your blog made me think of several questions about REDD's future including concerns over the enforcement of indigenous rights and how the developed world construes the "wilderness." Enforcement of customary land rights is necessary for REDD's success. Based on the fact that the Indonesian government has given itself the right to override customary land rights for the sake of public interest, enforcement of indigenous rights will almost have to come from a transnational authority. This made me question the appeal of a program that requires other nations (most likely developed nations) to step in and police (or at least monitor) REDD nations. Also, the case study and Earth Report video under the "Tenure Challenges" subpage made me question how the developed world conceptualizes nature conservation. Specifically, it appears that we (the developed world) are so removed from nature that we view it as a pristine wilderness that human contact necessarily degrades and destroys. Thus, in preserving nature, we seek to push people off of the lands that they depend on for survival. I feel that a more inclusive view of nature encapsulating people and environment is needed to justly employ REDD schemes.
References:
Cotula, L. and J. Mayers. (2009). Tenure in REDD: Start-point or afterthought? International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED).
Peck, J. (2008). Forgive my carbon sin. Ecologist 38(4): 30-35.
Good work on the REDD blog. This is continuing to be an important issue to track in the search for a solution to climate change because it is gaining so much international momentum. In theory it is meant to benefit stewards of the environment, in many cases local communities living in the forests. However several problems arise once one delves deeper in the REDD scheme. In your blog you provide a good explanation of the tenure issues associated with REDD, as populations may be displaced as a result of the forest management practices. Although those problems are outlined extensively, through the Issues tab and the Case Study, there is no thorough clarification of the REDD process for those that may not be knowledgeable. It is addressed, but could be explored more, though the video on the Introduction page is a good start. That may inhibit the true comprehension of viewers. In spite of that, tenure issues are covered to a great extent and explained in a manner that allows a viewer to see the negative nature in this framework. One thing I feel that should covered more are the additional effects of REDD on the environment. It is stated in the Case Study page briefly, but the impacts of illegal logging, monoculture plantations, Genetically Modified trees, and mismanaged practices could be addressed further because otherwise it may be unclear as to why those problems exist. Also, it could be helpful to state the countries that REDD is currently being implemented in. There are no external links to outside web sites, which could be a way to positively enhance the material. Overall, this is an informative and useful blog to uncover relevant issues associated with the REDD plan. Anyone that has no previous knowledge of the subject would directly gain by engaging in this site.
Great job! You guys took on a very challenging subject and were able to break it down so it could be easily understood. The section on REDD issues walked the reader through exactly that – the issues that have arisen as a result of REDD. And, choosing a case study was a very smart thing to do. It allowed the blog to focus on some very specific details and kept the blog from being too focused only on the academic side of REDD.
There were a couple of areas in which you could have improved, though. Specifically, I think the page with the Indonesia case study was a little wordy. This is not to say that the information was unnecessary, but it would have helped if you had maybe made a parent page with links to a couple of other pages where you could have highlighted some of the issues in a little more detail.
“…we have determined that REDD is a workable program to mitigate climate change if and only if it is under proper governance and critically incorporates indigenous groups in policy making initiatives.’ -Text from the ‘Analysis’ page
I really like the conclusion that you drew at the end. Just because you saw problems with the system that is in place now did not make you discard the underlying idea. I think this is going to be the challenge going forward – working on such a global scale, can we ensure protection of rights while effectively rewarding people for protecting the environment? Only time will tell…