Blog #2 - Belize Audubon Society

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

            Belize is a country which holds its natural resources and native lands and animals in high esteem. The Belize Audubon Society is one of those organizations that makes it their priority to protect the land and the creatures that live on it. Today, we heard from Dirk Francisco who talked about the protected areas that the Belize Audubon Society (BAS) protects and their mission for doing this. He stated that their mission is to be “dedicated to the sustainable management of our natural resources… in order to create a balance between people and environment.” They achieve this through the nine protected areas they manage.

These areas cover much of the country’s ecosystems so that the animals and nature systems are kept safe and thriving. Their management consists of a lot of work in the community and understanding what needs to be helped in the ecosystem. They advocate, have community outreach, do environmental education, and research. They face a lot of challenges as they try to protect these areas that are very similar to what other conservation organizations face, especially Friends for Conservation and Development.

As Dirk Francisco talked, you could tell that he was passionate about what he does and wants to make a change for the better. They environment is an extremely talked about subject in Belize because of the development of the coast and the looting of the forests. They have amazing places that they want to keep safe and that is what BAS is trying to accomplish with the help of other organizations like them. They have to have passion to do their job because it is a struggle every day to combat the effects of humans on environment. Their passion is contagious and I hope that it will rub off on me as I go home to the U.S. My passion may not be in saving the environment, but I think that all of our passions influence society and the environment in some way.

Case Study- Mayan Land Rights: Pablo Mize (11/27/12)

Today, the George Price Center was used as a place of great discussion, from learning about the history and culture of Belize to the environmental challenges of sustainable development.  I paid particular notice to Pablo Mize who led a discussion on Mayan land rights.  Pablo was very knowledgeable on the subject and let us take a look into the challenges these indigenous people face through the expansion of technology.  Pablo Mize works to coordinate programs for the community, to fortify land rights for the Mayan people.  The Mayans have a strong relationship with the environment, believing that they are sustainable with nature, essentially saying they don’t waste what they are given.

            There is a tremendous effort to safeguard the identity of the people and their culture.  If the Mayans loose their land, they are basically loosing their identity as a community.  They would loose the relationship among each other because they would have nothing to pass onto the younger generations. 

            Belizean companies are selling/buying Mayan lands.  The Mayan leaders requested support from the government and in 2007 the Mayan people got their rights back to the land they have been utilizing for hundreds of years.  Their fundamental motivation is safeguarding their cultural identity, which has a direct correlation with the land.

            Another large challenge the Mayans face is oil exploration; companies must have permission from the government to search for oil in Mayan communities.  The Mayans are not objecting to overall development but they are concerned to the degree in which development will affect their land.  The key question is: do Mayan people have the sole rights to their land and can they continue into the future without fear of losing their land and cultural identity?

            A large apprehension for the Mayan people is losing their identity, which is being deteriorated because of land development.  Nature is the key way that knowledge is transferred from generation to generation.  A gap is being created between the young and the old generations. This divide is occurring because the children are going to school for a majority of the day instead of learning hands on from the land.  The land is of vital importance to their way or life and needs to be safeguarded, “I am owned by the land I am on”.  

Case Study-Environmental Challenges of Sustainable Development: Colin Young

As a sustainability minor not knowing much about Belize, I found Colin Young’s presentation to be quite thought-provoking. Although seeming a little hopeless at first, Mr. Young provided ideas in which Belize could be headed in the right direction towards sustainable development.

            There are many problems that must be addressed and solved first. One problem is that their current framework for protected areas in misleading, and not really protecting as much as one would believe. For example, it was thought that 46 percent of Belize was protected, when only about 26 percent actually is. Not only that, but of that 26 percent, only 9 percent is strictly conserved.

            Another problem in Belize are the deforestation rates. Most of deforestation is a result from farmers creating more farmable land. The saddest part about this though, is that most of the crops grown are not even given to the residents of Belize. They are exported to countries such as the United States or United Kingdom, while the remainders that are “not good enough” are giving to Belizeans. In other words, countries like us are forcing countries like Belize to diminish their environment for our own benefit. And they do this, because they need to make a living, and this is one of their few options. According to Colin Young, Belize is losing 2 percent of their forest every year, and if this rate continues, their forest will be completely diminished in just 40 to 50 years.

            And if these problems were not enough, there are more such as rapid coastal development. This does not seem but to a impartial observer, but when looking more deeply into the matter, it becomes clear what coastal development is doing to the environment. Because coastlines are so popular and profitable for property, a lot of construction has been made in order to make these beachfront properties pleasing to the owner. However, in order for this to be achieved, mangroves must be exterminated from their native homes—the coastlines. Mangroves grow in swamps, which are then converted to beaches to create more profit for property. Because of this, Belize becomes much more vulnerable to hurricanes without its mangroves as a buffer for this severe weather. It is now predicted that without these mangroves, if a hurricane were to hit, it would take Belize back 80-100 years in development.

            It is clear now that there is a point made that Belize has many issues that need to be fixed, but how can it? Colin Young offered a valuable, yet simple insight that could be a huge stepping-stone towards Belizean sustainable development. His idea of focusing more on the people that live in Belize, rather than the other issues at hand offers some hope to building up this developing country.  His belief is that, if we rely on those living in this situation, we must have their well being be of first priority. If this is the case, and we offer them a good lifestyle, more would be willing to live by sustainable means. I personally, couldn’t agree more with this statement, and believe that this should be a motto in which everyone everywhere should be advised to follow. 

Day 4 - A day at the zoo 11/30/12

Again a little late on the post, but worth writing about all the same!

Today was one of my favorites. As a very dedicated animal lover, going to the Belize zoo today was awesome.

But first, we visited the Belize Natural Energy (BNE) site, where we learned about their history and their plans for the future. Although they had good ideas, I still can't get past the fact that this is a non-renewable energy source that is being extracted, which troubles me. It reminded again of a quote in The Sustainability Revolution where they discussed the American Petroleum Principle. Even though BNE states that they compare US and UK petroleum principles and try to better themselves from that, they are still "continuously juggling the delicate balance between environmental protection and resource extraction." BNE knows that eventually we all must find a new alternative for this resource, but so far, no ideas have been made.

Despite my more solemn thoughts at BNE, I thought the work being done at the Belize Zoo is amazing.  We met with the woman who began this organization and i was truly inspired. She is protecting native animals that are being threatened of extinction and giving them a safe home. It's sad to know that many of these species are being hunted by us and that's why they face extinction. But, the fact that there are also humans that are trying to help these species calms that thought a little. Did I mention that I high-fived a jaguar today?

Day 2- My impressions of Belize 11/28/12

Due to internet trouble, my blogposts are a little late, but here are some of my first thoughts in a new and strange place...

Today was awesome. I loved getting a better look at Belize and really felt immersed today. Yesterday, we spent most of our day in a classroom, but today we were out and about a good portion of the day, and visited many places around Belmopan.

First, we went to the B.E.S.T. building, where we learned about micro financing in Belize. I was inspired at the efforts to help those in poverty, and become more hopeful at this development. Then, we drove awhile and visited a local Belizean market. I was tempted to purchase a headband, but decided to wait. We then made our way to this awesome restaurant, called Benny's. Their lime juice was amazing--I'm having it again tomorrow. Bu before Benny's we heard a speaker talk about the Chiquibul forest and their struggle to protect it. I found it interesting at how much tension there is between Guatemala and Belize. I had no idea that there was so much conflict between these two countries. It made me think of a quote stated in The Sustainability Revolution by Andres R. Edwards. It sates how "the potential benefits of working with one's neighbor...can be an effective strategy for everyone concerned." I thought of this quote because i feel that if these problems were reconciled, Belize--as well as Guatemala--would be one step closer to being a sustainably sustainable country.

The last part of our day I particularly enjoyed--when we visited the students at Mount Carmel School. There, we listened to a presentation by their principle and were able to hang out with the kids for a little bit. i really enjoyed the principle's use of metaphors relating to leadership, and I loved getting to play soccer with the kids. I can't wait to hang out with them again tomorrow, and I can't wait to go visit the ruins!

Economic and Trade Challenges of Sustainable Development - Phillip Castillo

Today, while at the George Price Center, I listened to Phillip Castillo speak about the economic and trade challenges of Sustainable Development. Not only was Phillip extremely informative, he also offered useful information that is comparative to the challenges we face in the U.S. Another interesting fact Phillip brought to my attention was how much control the U.S. has on international trade.

            The main point of Phillip’s presentation was centered on a diagram that he called the Commodity Chain. The chain consists of 4 steps and they are as follows: 1) Source and Costs of Raw Materials, 2) Production and Processing, 3) Transportation of Final Products to the Market, and 4) Marketing and Final Sale. The main goal is to move to the fourth stage. Countries in the European Union and the United States have clearly achieved this and have, in turn, the most stable and successful economies. Countries such as Belize, on the other hand, export their valuable goods and are only on the second step. As assumed, countries such as Belize export these goods to places that are higher on the Commodity Chain, which is one major reason why stable countries such as the U.S. can stay on the fourth step.

            While there are a number of external factors that play a role in Belize facing greater economic difficulties, Phillip provided possible solutions that, with time and effort, could help move countries such as Belize up the chain. One necessary action, which can begin in the U.S., is adding more value to the exported products. Belize’s major exports include, but are not limited to, Sugar Cane, Citrus, and Coconuts. If the U.S. and Belize can come to terms on a higher value, there will be mire surplus that can be given back to Belize.

            The example Phillip used was Tropicana Juices. Many of the ingredients in Tropicana Orange Juice come from Belize. Phillip proposed the idea of focusing on markets that are conscious of the challenges these lower income countries face. This way, there would be logical reason to charge the

Day 2 - Friends of Conservation and Development, BEST, and David Ruiz

11/28/12 – DAY 2

            Being around local students is always the best. I love getting to have a fun time and joke around with people that often seem so distantly removed from our lives. It really drives home the truth that we are all really so similar despite our different homes and daily activities. I wasn’t initially excited about the soccer, but as soon as I got on the field and started running it reminded me of how nice it is to enjoy something as simple as a game. It’s a bit sad that it can take removing oneself from home to remember how to relax and let go.

            Derek Chan with the Friends of Conservation and Development was kind of an inspiration. The grassroots nature of the organizations beginnings with him and his peers as teenagers is proof that the smallest positive actions can grow to be something very large and important. Along this same line of thought lies the importance of our earlier presentation from BEST. Doing a lot with a little was this mornings take away message, and the integration of economic and social sustainability separate from environmental sustainability was intriguing and important to the course overall. BEST really exemplifies the theme of economic restructuring found in our text The Sustainability Revolution. Other speakers have touched upon the need for new economic developments and opportunities for individuals currently utilizing un-sustainable means for income, but BEST has developed a useful model for helping individuals with a need and a vision to better their circumstances and contribute to the positive economic restructuring of Belize as a developing nation.

            The leadership concentrated lecture this afternoon from David Ruiz was also inspiring. He exuded a peaceful strength and was presented his confidence with humility. I felt that his contribution to the day through interacting with the group was essential to proving his point of inclusiveness as a key aspect of effective leadership. I really enjoyed his use of metaphor/analogy to explain the leadership qualities that he believed to be most important.