The Amazon rainforest, a region of unparalleled biodiversity and vital importance to global climate stability, faces a constant threat from deforestation. Journalist Dom Phillips, tragically murdered while reporting on this issue, sought answers to a critical question: how can we save the Amazon? In a new podcast series, Revisited: How to Save the Amazon, The Guardian’s global environment editor Jon Watts continues Phillips’s investigation, exploring innovative strategies to protect the rainforest.
Exploring the ‘Bioeconomy’
Episode two of the series focuses on finding ways to make the Amazon more valuable when it’s standing than when it’s cut down. Watts begins by speaking with a Brazilian government minister advocating for a “bioeconomy.” This concept aims to harness the rainforest’s vast natural resources — plants, fungi, and other organisms — to build sustainable industries and create economic opportunities for local communities. The idea is to shift the focus from destructive logging and agriculture to more sustainable practices.
Ultimately, a successful bioeconomy depends on ensuring economic benefits flow to the people who are currently motivated to destroy the forest.
Finding Opportunities in the Forest’s Resources
The podcast then highlights several entrepreneurs and scientists who are already pursuing such opportunities. One example is a startup founder creating supplements from Amazonian superfoods. By identifying plants with unique nutritional properties and developing marketable products, this venture aims to generate income from the forest without causing its destruction.
Bioluminescent Wonders
Another intriguing segment features a scientist leading nighttime tours to hunt for bioluminescent fungi. This unique activity not only offers a fascinating experience for tourists, but also generates revenue that can be reinvested in rainforest conservation. The growing popularity of ecotourism and “experiential” travel provides an opportunity to support local communities while promoting sustainable practices.
A New Path for the Amazon?
Watts asks a fundamental question: Will these innovative approaches be enough to secure the Amazon’s survival? The scale of the challenges— including illegal logging, agricultural expansion, and the impact of climate change—are immense. The success of the “bioeconomy” hinges on addressing the root causes of deforestation and ensuring that economic incentives align with conservation goals.
This second episode provides a glimpse into a potentially transformative shift in how we perceive and value the Amazon rainforest — moving from viewing it as a source of raw materials to recognizing it as a treasure trove of biodiversity, potential medicines, and unique cultural experiences. Whether these emerging strategies can collectively overcome the powerful forces driving deforestation remains to be seen, but they offer a spark of hope for the Amazon’s future.
