<![CDATA[Grist - Comment Feed for Umbra on rainforest-protection gifts]]> Grist Comment Feed en Comment #1 by rufwork http://www.grist.org/article/rain-dear/ Mon, 24 Nov 2008 02:23:11 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/rain-dear/1 It's not unfair; which have you vetted?

It would be unfair and irresponsible of me to recommend a rainforest adoption program...

I'd disagree.  If you've vetted a program so that you're happy enough with it (and, alternately, vetted some and eliminated them), no reason not to share that work with the rest of it.  I'd be comfortable assuming most Grist readers can decide which are worth their cash without being unduly influenced, and if they are influenced, well, there's a reason this is called, "Ask Umbra".  We're clicking through for your opinion.

Don't shirk!  About the only reason I can think of for not recommending one or three, even unofficially, would be to ensure you don't annoy potential Grist sponsors.  Is Grist really that easily influenced?  Ouch.  T-Shirt selling time, I guess.

]]> It's not unfair; which have you vetted?

It would be unfair and irresponsible of me to recommend a rainforest adoption program...

I'd disagree.  If you've vetted a program so that you're happy enough with it (and, alternately, vetted some and eliminated them), no reason not to share that work with the rest of it.  I'd be comfortable assuming most Grist readers can decide which are worth their cash without being unduly influenced, and if they are influenced, well, there's a reason this is called, "Ask Umbra".  We're clicking through for your opinion.

Don't shirk!  About the only reason I can think of for not recommending one or three, even unofficially, would be to ensure you don't annoy potential Grist sponsors.  Is Grist really that easily influenced?  Ouch.  T-Shirt selling time, I guess.

]]> Comment #2 by river2sea72 http://www.grist.org/article/rain-dear/ Mon, 24 Nov 2008 03:29:51 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/rain-dear/2 Umbra can't recommend an adoption program...

... but I can.

The Nature Conservancy Adopt-an-Acre.

Also check out The Nature Conservancy's Plant a Billion Trees campaign to reforest the Atlantic Forest, one of the worlds most endangered ecosystems.

]]> Umbra can't recommend an adoption program...

... but I can.

The Nature Conservancy Adopt-an-Acre.

Also check out The Nature Conservancy's Plant a Billion Trees campaign to reforest the Atlantic Forest, one of the worlds most endangered ecosystems.

]]> Comment #3 by kayakpatty http://www.grist.org/article/rain-dear/ Mon, 24 Nov 2008 05:12:02 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/rain-dear/3 Faux Gift Giving

I have a problem with this "gift" giving strategy. Don't get me wrong - for the most part I think we all have too many things and I know I need nothing from anyone for Christmas except their love. And I hate having to get something for someone just because it is expected. However, I hate it when someone decides to do something like this and calls it giving a gift. If the "receiver" is someone that would prefer this type of gift, then that's fine (I happen to be one of those people). Just make sure it's an organization to which they would like to contribute or one of which they approve and that it's not just YOUR favorite charity.

And by all means do make a donation but don't justify it by saying it is someone's gift - just say "I didn't get gifts for anyone this year because I thought my money would be better spent on doing good, etc...." and then give handmade gifts or baked goods so you can still have the fun of giving and getting.  

]]> Faux Gift Giving

I have a problem with this "gift" giving strategy. Don't get me wrong - for the most part I think we all have too many things and I know I need nothing from anyone for Christmas except their love. And I hate having to get something for someone just because it is expected. However, I hate it when someone decides to do something like this and calls it giving a gift. If the "receiver" is someone that would prefer this type of gift, then that's fine (I happen to be one of those people). Just make sure it's an organization to which they would like to contribute or one of which they approve and that it's not just YOUR favorite charity.

And by all means do make a donation but don't justify it by saying it is someone's gift - just say "I didn't get gifts for anyone this year because I thought my money would be better spent on doing good, etc...." and then give handmade gifts or baked goods so you can still have the fun of giving and getting.  

]]> Comment #4 by mjl36 http://www.grist.org/article/rain-dear/ Mon, 24 Nov 2008 07:49:30 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/rain-dear/4 I Recommend GlobalGiving.org

Hi Nancy,

Check out Global Giving (http://www.globalgiving.org). It serves as a global "marketplace" for supporting local community development and conservation projects around the world. I'm sure you can find one that involves protecting biodiverse land or forests. One of the best things about these windows is that you're connecting directly to the local organizations who are implementing the work - not going through large organizations with their own overhead costs. Global Giving's lean headquarters also vets all projects for due diligence.

Kiva (http://www.kiva.org) is a similar option!

]]> I Recommend GlobalGiving.org

Hi Nancy,

Check out Global Giving (http://www.globalgiving.org). It serves as a global "marketplace" for supporting local community development and conservation projects around the world. I'm sure you can find one that involves protecting biodiverse land or forests. One of the best things about these windows is that you're connecting directly to the local organizations who are implementing the work - not going through large organizations with their own overhead costs. Global Giving's lean headquarters also vets all projects for due diligence.

Kiva (http://www.kiva.org) is a similar option!

]]> Comment #5 by carol from jersey http://www.grist.org/article/rain-dear/ Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:05:28 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/rain-dear/5 how about keeping it local?

I'm all for this type of gift-giving; note-cards and fancy soaps are so cliche--
I understand that the rainforest needs preservation, truly I do, but I'm afraid that it becomes a feel-good out-of-sight,out-of-mind type of gesture. If you're really interested in where your money is being used, why not research a LOCAL land-preservation program? In my neighborhood we're lucky to have an outstanding non-profit dedicated to land preservation. A wonderful follow-up to your donation might be to make a date with your 'gift-ee' to volunteer with said organization- to do trail maintainance, restoration, and the like.
What a thoughtful gift! you've helped your friend feel connected to the landscape they live in, and offered them some lungs full of fresh air, and some rare critter sightings, to boot!
Best wishes for a fulfilling holiday and a mindful New Year!!!


]]> how about keeping it local?

I'm all for this type of gift-giving; note-cards and fancy soaps are so cliche--
I understand that the rainforest needs preservation, truly I do, but I'm afraid that it becomes a feel-good out-of-sight,out-of-mind type of gesture. If you're really interested in where your money is being used, why not research a LOCAL land-preservation program? In my neighborhood we're lucky to have an outstanding non-profit dedicated to land preservation. A wonderful follow-up to your donation might be to make a date with your 'gift-ee' to volunteer with said organization- to do trail maintainance, restoration, and the like.
What a thoughtful gift! you've helped your friend feel connected to the landscape they live in, and offered them some lungs full of fresh air, and some rare critter sightings, to boot!
Best wishes for a fulfilling holiday and a mindful New Year!!!


]]> Comment #6 by ladyoflyonnesse http://www.grist.org/article/rain-dear/ Tue, 25 Nov 2008 07:43:19 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/rain-dear/6 Protect-an-acre vs. Buy-an-acre

I highly recommend the Rainforest Action Network's Protect-an-Acre program.  It's likely the one mentioned in this answer as a small grant program to indigenous communities.  There are several reasons I think this  option is a better choice than traditional buy-an-acre programs.
You receive a certificate to give as a gift with a description of the project you've funded.  You can see previous and ongoing projects at http://ran.org/campaigns/protect_an_acre/
Supporting indigenous communities is the best way to protect the forests.
Indigenous communities have been stewards of the land for generation and their livelihood depends on the ability of the forest to thrive.  A recent study by Forest Trends found that traditional communities on site do a better job of conserving woodlands than governments or international donors.
Recognizing the interconnection of domination of land and domination of people is the first step towards an ethic of conservation that preserves culture and nature.  Also, it covers gifts for greeny friends and those more into human rights issues and provides heartwarming stories for the Christmas season in addition to a few acres of forest.
It's difficult for well meaning organizations to ensure that uninhabited forest lands remain protected without constant monitoring and upkeep.  It's not uncommon for loggers, oil and gas companies, cattle ranchers and miners to illegally extract resources from "protected" lands.
Indigenous communities have few allies in staging resistance to hostile or even illegal land seizures to feed the growing agribusiness and fuel economies and this program helps provide tactics for retaining or regaining a self-determination that is self sustaining. When communities loose land rights they almost never regain them and are often forced into abject urban poverty or wage slavery on the plantations that replace their homes.

Finally, we give environmental gifts because of an ecological ethic that we cultivate in our lives and wish to share with friends and family. Traditional programs allow you to support an organization doing good work in the world and remove some acres of forest from the open market.   RAN's Protect an Acre does all that and sustains communities half way around the world that live the ecological effort we profess. The world has a lot to learn from the traditional lifestyles of those who inhabit and rely upon the forest and sustaining those societies for even a single generation longer gives us the opportunity to witness the way young indigenous population will face and defeat encroaching challenges.







]]> Protect-an-acre vs. Buy-an-acre

I highly recommend the Rainforest Action Network's Protect-an-Acre program.  It's likely the one mentioned in this answer as a small grant program to indigenous communities.  There are several reasons I think this  option is a better choice than traditional buy-an-acre programs.
You receive a certificate to give as a gift with a description of the project you've funded.  You can see previous and ongoing projects at http://ran.org/campaigns/protect_an_acre/
Supporting indigenous communities is the best way to protect the forests.
Indigenous communities have been stewards of the land for generation and their livelihood depends on the ability of the forest to thrive.  A recent study by Forest Trends found that traditional communities on site do a better job of conserving woodlands than governments or international donors.
Recognizing the interconnection of domination of land and domination of people is the first step towards an ethic of conservation that preserves culture and nature.  Also, it covers gifts for greeny friends and those more into human rights issues and provides heartwarming stories for the Christmas season in addition to a few acres of forest.
It's difficult for well meaning organizations to ensure that uninhabited forest lands remain protected without constant monitoring and upkeep.  It's not uncommon for loggers, oil and gas companies, cattle ranchers and miners to illegally extract resources from "protected" lands.
Indigenous communities have few allies in staging resistance to hostile or even illegal land seizures to feed the growing agribusiness and fuel economies and this program helps provide tactics for retaining or regaining a self-determination that is self sustaining. When communities loose land rights they almost never regain them and are often forced into abject urban poverty or wage slavery on the plantations that replace their homes.

Finally, we give environmental gifts because of an ecological ethic that we cultivate in our lives and wish to share with friends and family. Traditional programs allow you to support an organization doing good work in the world and remove some acres of forest from the open market.   RAN's Protect an Acre does all that and sustains communities half way around the world that live the ecological effort we profess. The world has a lot to learn from the traditional lifestyles of those who inhabit and rely upon the forest and sustaining those societies for even a single generation longer gives us the opportunity to witness the way young indigenous population will face and defeat encroaching challenges.







]]>