Venezuela Recognized for Protecting the Amazon

Venezuela is the nation with the 10th-largest amount of biodiversity in the world. Efforts to protect that biodiversity are highlighted in a new study by RAISG, or La Red Amazónica de Información Socioambiental Georreferenciada.

According to the study, Venezuela has the second-highest proportion of its Amazon region protected. The Amazonian basin covers an astounding 3 million square miles in South America, overlapping several different countries and encompassing a population of perhaps 33 million. Venezuela has already protected 71.5% of its share — second only to Ecuador’s 79.7%, and far ahead of Colombia, Brazil, and Peru.

RAISG measured Indigenous territory and other protected lands, which are generally the best conserved. Venezuela has 43 national parks. A respect for nature is enshrined in the constitution of Venezuela under a chapter that guarantees all citizens the right to a safe and healthy environment.

Since the Amazon Rainforest is often called the “lungs” of South America, we can breathe a little easier thanks to Venezuela.

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Venezuela on the Road to Clean Energy

The Associated Press announced recently that “Chavez will swap gas-guzzlers for clean cars.”

The news may seem surprising coming from an oil producing country that claims what may be the largest reserves of crude in the world. Gas prices are subsidized by the state in Venezuela, and — as in the US — cars are a big part of local culture.

Things are now beginning to change. The state oil company PDVSA has opened a conversion center to turn regular, gas-burning cars into cleaner vehicles that run on natural gas. Bloomberg reported that nearly 1,000 cars will be converted by the end of the year, and automakers will be required to have 30% running on natural gas by April 2009.

The issue of environmental sustainability has caught on in Venezuela in recent years. Part of the constitution is dedicated to the environmental rights and responsibilities of citizens. The law states: “It is a fundamental duty of the State, with the active participation of society, to ensure that the populace develops in a pollution-free environment…”

Looks like things are moving the right direction.

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Venezuela’s Top National Park Turns 50

Venezuela’s most-visited national park turns 50 this year!

Parque Nacional El Avila is just outside of Caracas, encompassing the steep, forested mountains that stand between the capital city and the aquamarine waters of the Caribbean. Hiking on the more than 100 miles of trails that criss-cross El Avila is a common Sunday ritual for many residents of Caracas, who take in breathtaking vistas of the landscape and the city below.

Alternately, visitors can take the teleferico (the cable car seen here) to the top, which stands 7,000 feet above the city. Here, there are refreshments resting spots, including an ice skating rink and the famous Hotel Humboldt.

El Avila was decreed a national park on December 12th, 1958. This year, to mark the anniversary of its founding, events are taking place throughout the year. To read more in Spanish, click here.

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Venezuela: Environmental Concerns Prevail Over Mining

Because its economy based largely on natural resource exports, Venezuela faces particular challenges with regard to environmental sustainability. How can a country draw on the Earth’s riches while ensuring their long-term availability?

One way is to prevent excess exploitation. This is exactly what Venezuela’s Ministry of the Environment has recently done by curtailing gold mining activities in the Imataca Forest in the southeastern state of Bolívar. This region of Venezuela boasts an amazing amount of bird species, and birding is one of the country’s top tourist attractions. Five major Indigenous groups living in and around the Imataca Forest have been adversely affected by the mining.

The Ministry of the Environment responded the concerns of environmentalists and local communities alike last week when it rescinded a permit allowing gold and copper exploitation by the company Gold Reserve Inc. Meanwhile, another firm called Crystallex International was denied a request to expand its own mining operations. Now that sustainability is the goal, many now believe that Venezuela’s natural wealth will last for a long time to come.

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Venezuela Bans Harmful Trawl-Fishing

Last month, Venezuela banned trawling, a method of netting fish that had a devastating affect on marine life. The move to end trawling will help protect fragile fish populations and seabeds. Small fishers are celebrating the decision as a boost to their livelihood.

This is one of many environmental conservation initiatives undertaken in Venezuela in recent years.

The new ban on trawl-fishing comes in the form of an amendment to the 2002 Law of Fisheries, which now prohibits trawling in all commercial waters. It also requires fishers to donate five percent of their catch to state-run nutrition programs that benefit the poor. This draws on the traditional coastal practice of sharing catches with the less fortunate. Read more here.

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Venezuelan Scientists Report on the Environment

A group of Venezuelan scientists have returned from a research expedition to Antarctica, where they measured environmental degradation. TeleSur reports that the scientists, who collaborated with Uruguayan researchers, warned that significant environmental shifts documented in Antarctica indicate the accelerating pace of global climate change.

Venezuela’s Minister of Science and Technology reiterated the commitment of the oil-producing nation to issues of environmental protection and conservation. The Minister also heralded the Antarctica expedition with Uruguay as evidence of a “great spirit of cooperation, of brotherhood” between the two countries.

Later this year, Venezuela and Uruguay will jointly launch a satellite called “Simón Bolívar Satellite” in homage to South America’s famed independence hero. The new technology will allow both countries to improve their tele-communications industries.

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Venezuela: Protecting Endangered Species

Venezuela’s Caribbean coastline is known for beaches that are beautiful and pristine, but it isn’t always easy to keep them that way.

A battle to preserve Cayo Borracho in Morrocoy National Park has pitted the authorities against boaters who illegally bring tourists to the protected quay, which is home to several endangered species.

The National Parks Institute (Inparques) upped its enforcement of the ban on tourism in Cayo Borracho last week, and have already halted 150 boats. The head of Inparques, Jesús Alexander Cegarra, told the press that constitutional law in Venezuela bars access to Cayo Borracho except for scientific purposes.

Researchers say that Cayo Borracho provides an essential habitat for many endangered species, including sea turtles, marine birds, and crocodiles. These creatures cannot compete for space with tourists. But as it turns out, humans have options: Morrocoy National Park boasts thirteen other amazing beaches that allow access to visitors.

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