The following letter from two
Central American NGOs asking for an independent, non-biased scientific
study to confirm the "carrying capacity" or "ecological footprint" in the
Gulf Of Fonseca in Central America represents a vital step in our overall
network organizing efforts. Such calls for studies involving scientific
experts working with NGOs and coastal communities represent pro-active
cooperation at its height. Such cooperative efforts, if carried out in
effective and timely fashion, will lend a strong credence to our mutual
demands linking environmental and societal protection with more clearly
defined sustainable and equitable development practices. This call for
collaboration involving academics, NGOs and local communities is the needed
glue which binds our global movement into a much more strengthened force
to be reckoned with by both industry and government. Formation of our proposed
"teams of experts" to go into a "hot spot" to assess and report on the
situation there is a logical next step in our network efforts.
Alfredo Quarto, Co-Director,
The Mangrove Action
Project
Essential Reading
Gammage, S. 1997. Population, consumption and environment linkages in
a mangrove ecosystem in the Gulf of Fonseca. International Center for Research
on Women, Washington, DC.