Saving Madagascar

Since coming to Current, environment-related stories have become a somewhat accidental, or coincidental priority for me. Coincidental in the sense that I'd never considered myself totally green, or a tree hugger in any way -- it just happened to be one of the key issues of our time.
Right now, we're in the midst of what is perhaps one of the most dynamic times in human history -- and, like it or not, destruction of the natural world is one of the biggest challenges of this generation. So here, my ongoing look at the environment continues.
I chose to fly out to Madagascar, which, to a West Coaster, is as remote and far away from home as you could possibly be. In other words, a place that most of us couldn't give a shit about.
And that was kind of the point. Because as remote and obscure as farflung rainforests may seem, they just might be a little more important than you think. The world, maybe a little smaller than you think.
If there's one issue that transcends borders or oceans, it's the environment. There's only one Earth.
The CO2 gases we each emit end up somewhere: either in the upper atmosphere, or inhaled by the world's rainforests. Rainforests like those in Madagascar, Borneo, Papua New Guinea, or the Amazon. The forests are sort of a nice little self-regulating system that keeps the oxygen flowing, and the carbon dioxide in check.
As you'll see in this piece, the world's forests are under attack, for various reasons.
But there is hope.
Carbon credits are seen as one possible hope for saving places like Madagascar and other nations that are economically poor, but biologically rich.
Major polluters (me, you, giant corporations -- most of us in the developed world) are able to offset our own carbon emissions by purchasing carbon credits from countries whose carbon-absorbing rainforests are doing the job of cleaning up our gaseous mess. This may help ensure that those nations have the means and the will to protect their natural endowments.
Carbon offsets are particularly useful for those who can't (or won't) limit or reduce their carbon footprints ... (again, me, you, giant corporations). The rich have grown to rely on energy-intensive lifestyles. The US government says reducing CO2 emissions would be detrimental to the economy; poor but rapidly developing nations like China and India can't fully develop without polluting first.
There is some controversy over whether carbon credits do little more than reward bad behavior. Do we need to bribe poor nations against destroying the environment? Should the rich be able to buy their way out of responsibility, simply because it's cheaper to pay to pollute than it is to clean up? Either way, there's not much time to argue.
Now, all of this sidesteps another important issue: conservation for conservation's sake. The planet is on the verge of the mass extinction of plant and animal species that would rival the level of extinctions seen in the dinosaur age.
Whether we're talking about the lemurs in Madagascar, the Siberian tiger or frogs in Central America, countless species are in trouble, due to climate change, habitat destruction, or a combination of both.
While the do-good feeling of conservation may not be able to save the world's forests, perhaps the economics will.

It's depressing seeing Madagascar like that, the way I see it, Madagascar is to Atheists as the Vatican is to Catholics. To be ripping whole parts of forest like that just for 2-3 years of rice cultivation is inefficient and sad.
Being the hardcore atheist I'am, I'd say that the island should be sacred and untouched like the Bible, but it's tough saying that to a population of hardworking people. Checkmate =(
Great pod nonetheless.

What could I do to help prevent deforestation in Madagascar or in other places?

Fantastic, wonderful pod!! loved it!
Sadly this is happening around the world, not just madagascar.
your approach as a reporter is excellent and smart, and i only wish there were more reports like this on television. well done.

My first impulse is for saving Mother Nature, but there are so many other factors involved here. How can I sit here and expect the people of Madagascar to stop their way of life? Yes, rice farming and coal production are contributors to the devastation of their island, but it is a necessity of their livelihood. In any case, something must be done! Aaaahh! If these problems were ever simple to solve!

*really really* great work. I had recently watched a segment on madagascar on one of the news networks, but this one was faaar more interesting and better told. keep up the strong reporting

Excellent pod... I was down in Central America, and slash and burn agriculture is being used there too. Even within national parks where it is supposed to be 'protected' there is major deforestation. Their main crop down there is coffee so think about that next time you?re at a cafe. Creating sustainable agriculture and jobs are a crucial part of the solution.

Great pod! O, their on their way to end up like Easter Island,
They need sustainable renewable energy, and to grow different things and crop rotate. They need to start planting trees now in the areas where they abandon.
They need education!!!! We all are responsible for this precious planet!!!

Oh man, that was great! The team did a great job of showing how difficult this problem is. One of the best pieces on Madagascar I've ever seen. Good luck to them...one of the most special places on Earth (the whole island should be a World Heritage Site).

Madagascar will lift your soul and break your heart.

Truly magic.

Although I admittedly have no idea why Madagascar is so sacred for Athiests, I was so moved by catching this pod on tv last night that I looked up the website to comment. The most important thing for me to remember is that in Madagascar they're killing their environment for survival. Period. In the U.S. and other countries we're doing it for what, convenience? It would be interesting to see how quickly the inhabitants would adopt an alternative to the burning if a viable one were suggested. I assume it would happen pretty quickly. Thanks for creating such an eye-catching pod to reel me into Current!

Hey Krissa,

I'm not sure Madagascar is such a big deal with athiests. This thread is the first I've heard of that. They practice some traditional beliefs (their burial rites are super-interesting) but most of the inner-lying people are Christian/animist and there are more Muslims on the coasts. We saw a ton of churches (Protestant and Catholic) when we were there.

Maybe it's the animism thing the athiests latch on to but it's still worship in spirits (which I thought athiests didn't do).

I guess I better plan my trip to Madagascar quickly! Save the lemurs!

this is a wakeup call, i guess. many poor countries are destroying their environment just to survive. the first world nations really need to step it up and help them, because the loss of precious and unique ecosystems is a loss for all of us. but the question is, how do you help them help themselves in a sustainable way?

hydrogen produced from solar or wind can be a nice way to introduce power, eco-friendly and the way the whole world should be going!

Very nice video. It's difficult to tell the impoverished people in situations like this to worry about being ecologically responsible, especially when great industrial powers offer little more than exploitation and are reluctant to set the precedent. Wealthier industrial powers have the obligation to provide aid and alternative opportunities to these people so that they don't have to be cutting down their forests and ruining their land. It seems to me that even providing some food aid would go a long way to assisting in the conservation effort of Madagascar.

dude...wow. very cool pod. good reporting. whoever shot this u rock.

my cousin did some aid work there, i feel like i should be doin something now that i've seen this

caught part of this on tv the other night. when's this going to air again, i haven't seen it come up like most of your stuff repeats

Fantastic pod and so sad to see our Earth bleeding. And in Madagascar like other countries that are experiencing deforestation (such as Niger) saving forests are of utmost importance for the sustainability of the planet, but balancing that with the sustenance of its people is going to be a constant struggle. Ecotourism is a good way to save forests and also provide economic sustenance to the people who live there. As far as the dam goes, here's hoping they do not waste the water and that it does not harm other ecosystems. They need solar! I surely hope you do more of these pods about other areas of Africa and the world.

sadly the us government has been a laggard in tackling global climate change, and has been quick to point fingers at other countries. this is not how the world's superpower and biggest co2 producer should be reacting to the call for better initiatives against warming and deforestation.

http://getinvolved.conservation.org/site/PageServer?pagename=holiday_lemur

For everyone interested in helping ecotourism, lemurs, deforestation, climate change, and the poeple of Madagascar all at once this seems a great idea. This is an alternative gift site, dedicated to ecological causes. Send one of these to someone you love for New Years, with the hope that we will have many more New Years to come.

madagascar looks spellbinding. the visuals here really look amazing, and the story is very compelling. great great work! i saw this a couple weeks ago, the first time i'd watched this network, and now i'm a fan. keep it up

Just teach them to plant new trees in order to replace the ones they cut.
I know, they are not used to do so, they just take everthing available, but ...if you provide free young plants they will use them as you tell/teach them to do.
The Malagasy really love their children, they want their children to see the same landscape as the ancestors did.

Excellent pod. Nice work. Keep this on people's minds. As they go, we go.

VERY very impressive stuff. pretty sad whats happening there. i was in indonesia, where they're completely f'ing up their environment with deforestation, mostly to feed china's gigantic demand for wood (illegally logged) and to make room for palm oil. it scares me to think about whats going to happen as china really starts offering up money for madagascar's resources, how that could spell the end for the country.
thanks for bringing these stories and keep up the great work dude