media advisory
friends of the earth international
new report links environmental
degradation to rural poverty
The full report is online in English at
/www.foei.org/publications/pdfs/poverty.pdf
EDINBURGH (SCOTLAND) / BRUSSELS (BELGIUM),
July 6, 2005 -- A new report released today
at the G8 summit in Scotland documents the
direct links between economic globalization,
environmental degradation and rural poverty
through 26 stories from across the globe.
The causes of rural poverty and the
significance of natural resources in
sustainaining people's livelihoods are at the
core of the report ‘Nature: Poor People's
Wealth' published by Friends of the Earth
International.
"Poverty is the greatest shame and scandal
of our era. As we kick off the 21st century,
more than one billion people around the world
live in extreme poverty. Some 70 percent of
the world's poor live in rural areas and
depend upon their local environments for
their daily survival," said Friends of the
Earth International Chair Meena Raman from
Malaysia.
“We are calling for international
financial institutions, trade bodies,
corporations and governments to axe their
socially and environmentally destructive
policies that destroy natural wealth and
create human poverty. We believe that the
eradication of poverty is the most important
challenge facing humankind today."
The report shows many examples of how
communities around the world are able to lead
rich and fulfilling lives when they are in
charge of their natural resources. Rural
people, especially women and indigenous
peoples, often have long-standing symbiotic
relationships with their local environment
that must be acknowledged and supported.
for more information
contact:
Friends of the Earth International
Meena Raman, Chair, Friends of the Earth
International: + 60-12430004 (Malaysian
mobile number) or email
Simone Lovera of Friends of the Earth
International +31-6-10897827 (Dutch mobile
number) or email
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