Rainforest conservation and hope for the future

“Optimistic and Hopeful…”
Is this how you feel about our Rainforests?

 

Seedling at Rosewood Road. Image credit © Martin Stringer

 

It’s over halfway through our 25th year and your voices matter now more than ever. 

Understanding what you care about, why you support the work we do and how rainforests are integral to your lives is of utmost importance to us. 

Our organisation’s future is shaped by your concerns. 

Which is why today’s entry in our series focuses on topics that you’ve bought to the fore. Through conversations with supporters at Rainforest Rescue events, feedback through our Supporter Survey and anecdotes and comments on our social media pages, we’ve drawn together perspectives that illustrate your view of the natural world and the state it is in. 

 

Global threats

What do you perceive as the biggest threat facing the environment in general? 

When you and other supporters are asked this, the top 3 answers are intertwined in such a way that it feels like one word sums them up: Humans. 

You responded that Climate Change, Habitat Loss and Land Clearing were, in that order, the major threats that the environment is facing. We know that potentially irreversible Biodiversity Loss is a key indicator of the damage that these threats are doing, and human-induced impact is at the root. What scientists are calling the age of the ‘Anthropocene Extinction’ is here. 

Our collective actions, intensifying over time, are putting greater and greater pressure on the environment to try and withstand all that we as a global community can throw at it.  

This can’t go on forever. Something has to give. 

 

Australia in a state

As we come closer to home (for many of us), does this perception change? Is Australia any different to the rest of the world? How do you feel about the state of the environment in Australia? 

Much like we do, it turns out. 

Four emotions stood out as describing your feelings best: Ashamed and Saddened, Angry and Outraged. 

You are, as we are, incensed by the state this country’s natural environment is in. The rampant, long-term destruction of its native habitats. The list of faunal extinctions that make it a global leader for the wrong reasons.  

As we discuss the topic further, we hear sentiments like this one concerning causes of frustration: 

“In Australia… It is all introduced fauna and flora that then become destructive invaders.” 

Human intervention in natural habitat and the balance of ecosystems has wrought so much damage in the last few hundred years; short-sighted or naive decisions that Nature bears the consequences of. The raw numbers of lost or threatened species and habitats are staggering, and a sense of despair is totally understandable. 

Thankfully, a small number of you also feel Optimistic and Hopeful. Despite everything, we believe we can do something to make a difference. Hope in Action.

 

2024 Annual Community Tree Planting at NightWings. Image credit © Martin Stringer

 

Rainforest at risk

If we zoom in further on the topic closest to our collective heart – Rainforests –  what is perceived as the greatest threat to these majestic and essential areas of our planet? 

In general, you view Climate Change, Logging and Property Development as the top 3 threats, with Government Policy and Agriculture rounding out the top 5. 

Again, what is apparent is that these threats are all intertwined. Poor policy decisions lead to substandard protection of habitat and unchecked destruction of biodiverse areas for human use and consumption. These beautiful wild places are exploited because they can be. Nature is, sadly, at our mercy. 

These threats are our primary concerns, too. It’s why, with your support, we’ve raised awareness and continuously taken action over the last 25 years in an attempt to halt and dissuade development and destruction.  

It is also why declared Nature Refuges are critical to safeguarding the future of these precious habitats. Land titling is one of our strongest conservation weapons in stopping the harm that could otherwise be done to intact rainforest. 

 

Why do we all care? What must we do? 

Sometimes it can be challenging to ask a big question like ‘Why do we even care about rainforests?’ 

But it appears that together we care deeply for three reasons that all point to a sense of stewardship: To protect biodiversity, to mitigate climate change and to protect nature for future generations and our collective benefit.  

We collectively care because the very things we’ve highlighted as threats are what we want to protect against. It really does appear to be in our communal nature to do so.  

With that, you perceive that the best ways to protect rainforests are to: Buy land, restore, advocate on behalf of rainforests and to work with local organisations. 

We hope that our active role and advocacy within the Wet Tropics Rainforest Alliance (alongside organisations like Terrain NRM and Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation); our ever-growing protection portfolio; and the successful restoration projects we have involved you in with our Annual Community Tree Plantings, are testament to aligning with the strategy you outline.  

In fact, supporter feedback also suggests these are the very actions you believe are our most important to continue taking!  

It’s reassuring to know we’re in sync and we should remain focused on these actions. 

 

But, what about the future…? 

Considering the current situation can be a daunting task, let alone thinking about the future. But we must think forward to set a course and to give all of us hope that we can and will make a positive difference, inspiring others to do so in the process. 

And it’s here that we have two small asks of you.  

Firstly, for anyone reading this message, please consider answering the question below by clicking the button to fill in a one-question survey. Your perspective helps us to keep on mission because ultimately, your support makes our actions happen. 

And secondly, for those eligible to vote in the upcoming Queensland State Election on 26th October – we encourage you to use your vote wisely.  

From supporter anecdotes, we know that the rigour of policies regarding the use and treatment of Australia’s native habitat are a concern. Queensland Conservation Council have published an environmental scorecard of the major political parties which you may find enlightening. 

We will be doing our bit with our votes. We hope you will too.  

And please, share your perspective on the future of Australia’s irreplaceable rainforests by using the link above. You’re welcome to pass this message on to those you know who might want to add their perspective too. 

For the rainforests,

The Rainforest Rescue team

 

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