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The saddest world wonder: Foz do Iguaçu

Recently I visited the Iguaçu waterfalls, and it made me sad.


Here's why:


It demonstrated the devastating human impact on nature.


During my visit, I went to a wildlife park.

This park dedicates its work to the national forest "mata atlantica" by rescuing animals from illegal trafficking and trying to recreate nearly extinct species.


(Nowadays, only 2-8% of the mata atlantica national forest is left. Making it one of the most diverse and endangered forests on this planet)


It made me think:


1. Whos fault is it?


Popular opinion: "It's the poachers and farmers' fault! They destroy natural habitats, poison nature with pesticides, and kill animals!"


It's easy to put the responsibility on them until you realize that they also just want to

- provide food for their family

- fulfill personal dreams

- make money


Indeed they follow an ethically reprehensible profession to fulfill those goals.

But in the end, we (who buy, consume, want to save money) carry the real responsibility.


Farmers and poachers don't kill out of sheer lust. They do it because we pay for their "products."


2. What is causing this problem?


While walking through the park, I felt the desire to buy an existing farm (mostly for soy cultivation) to reforest it.


So I talked with a guide about it. What he responded made me hopeless:


"Let's say you buy a farm for reforestation. That leaves the previous farmer without a job to provide a safe income.


The farmer then burns down another piece of forest to build a new farm to continue his profession.


Leaving you with poor, plain soil and 15 years of work trying to rebuild it. In the end, nature is better off if you wouldn't have bought the farm."


3. Is there hope?


There were many signs informing about nearly extinct animal populations in the park.

Though nearly none of the visitors I saw stopped to read them.


Many visitors were busy posing, taking selfies, or even making loud whistling noises to get the animals' attention.


At the end of my visit, I asked our guide for an opinion on nature's future and human impact. He told me:


"Parks like this one provide great value. They educate, they preserve, and they raise awareness.


But: We as humans destroy it quicker than we can rebuild it.


After all, it's a consumer and political issue. We need laws, leaders, and execution to prevent ongoing destruction.


Until then, we're out here fighting a battle we might not be able to win."


How do you see a way out of this?

What can we do as individuals to prevent ongoing destruction?





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