The True Value of Forests: insights from South America
In Manaus, Brazil, 30 leading experts from five Amazonian countries gathered for the “Wyss Academy Dialogues on the True Value of Forests,” bringing over 900 years of collective experience to the table. The event revealed the multifaceted significance of the Amazon, extending beyond its impact in biodiversity and climate regulation. The dialogues also recognised the Indigenous peoples’ deep-rooted connection to the forest, highlighting the need for their inclusion in conservation efforts.
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For two and a half days, 30 experts and representatives from Amazonian countries—Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, and Bolivia—convened in Manaus, Brazil, to share their extensive knowledge and experiences. With a combined 900 years of experience in the region, these experts came together for the “Wyss Academy Dialogues on the True Value of Forests – A Regional Perspective on the Value of the Amazon.” The event provided a critical platform for exploring the rainforest’s multifaceted importance, often referred to as “the lungs of the world.”
Key takeaways from the dialogue
While the Amazon is renowned for its biodiversity, clean water sources, and oxygen production, the true value extends beyond these well-documented benefits. The forest’s significance encompasses its role as a living, interconnected system that has been shaped and sustained by Indigenous peoples for millennia.
Indigenous peoples have managed and nurtured the Amazon for over 10,000 years. This deep-rooted relationship has cultivated the forest’s current diversity and complexity. Effective conservation strategies must therefore include and benefit Indigenous communities, reflecting their essential role in the forest’s past, present, and future.
The Amazon, its diversity, complexity, and contribution to the planet are possible because for over 10,000 years, indigenous peoples have inhabited and managed it. Therefore, any solution route to conserve the Amazon must include and benefit indigenous peoples and local communities
The Amazon’s vast area (8,470,209 km²) presents significant opportunities for sustainable development. However, any approach to conservation must balance preserving the forest with providing economic opportunities for local and Indigenous communities. Ensuring these communities have viable livelihoods is crucial for the long-term success of conservation efforts.
Addressing the Amazon’s challenges requires a collective effort from diverse stakeholders, including Indigenous peoples, the business sector, academia, NGOs, and public institutions. The dialogues highlighted the importance of integrating multiple perspectives to develop comprehensive and effective solutions.
Great opportunities arise from the true incorporation and prioritisation of the multiple values of the Amazon in policies, investments, science, and social practices.
Another vital key takeaway is the need for effective communication about the Amazon’s values and the urgency of its preservation. Sharing stories that highlight the forest’s significance, addressing its threats, and fostering dialogue among scientists, policymakers, and communities are essential steps in raising awareness and driving action.
The Amazon is not just a resource but a vital part of a broader system of rights and connections between people and the environment. The rights of both people and nature ought to be recognised and defended.
We recognise the Amazon as a living, complex, and interconnected system, as a connector of time, space, and people. The Amazon is also a right, a set of experiences and stories, both individual and collective, human and non-human. We need to build a collective path and weave together collaborations and initiatives. We need to share stories that exemplify the values of the Amazon and the benefits of conserving it. We need to communicate, using appropriate language for each audience, the urgency of the consequences of the disappearance of the Amazon, as well as the threats contributing to its degradation. We need to create fluid and efficient communication between the scientific community and the State, to govern based on evidence and strengthen relationships among all actors to face ongoing challenges. We believe it is essential to recognise and defend people's right to prosperity, and nature's right to exist. We want to communicate this collective vision of the Amazon to Amazonian peoples, Amazonian countries, and the world, and to build a path of joint actions that transcend physical space and reflect the interconnection between people and nature.
As the world faces increasing environmental challenges, these dialogues set the stage for a global movement to integrate diverse perspectives and foster effective, inclusive solutions for preserving this vital ecosystem.
The recent dialogue in South America about the Amazon has set a powerful precedent in recognising the true value of forests. The Impact Hub global network is excited to join forces with Wyss Academy and regional partners so that the vital role of forests is championed by communities around the world. As we prepare for the upcoming dialogues in other regions, we anticipate each conversation will deepen our understanding and commitment - get ready to witness a wave of environmental insights, advocacy and action!
The Dialogues on the True Value of Forests are organised by the Wyss Academy for Nature in collaboration with the Impact Hub Network with the regional support of the Foundation for Conservation and Sustainable Development (FCDS) in South America.
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