Welcome to the first International Conference on Sustainable Development in Brazil. We would like to thank you and your team for coming and will take a moment to outline the basis of your presentation and remind you of the agenda items that we agreed to.
As a global village, we are concerned about the problems facing countries in the Amazon basin. There continue to be terrific ecological stresses to those regions which are so vital to the wellbeing of not only to their own inhabitants but the entire world. We are concerned with the consequences of disturbances in climate, resources and biodiversity if the current rate of rainforest destruction is not curbed. Our goal is to discuss and propose some possible measures that could reduce the ecological imbalances in the region and allow the area to begin its slow recovery.
We agreed in pre-conference to discuss the following possible actions:
1. Should we organize a program of monetary subsidies to rainforest nature, hoping to decrease their dependence on rainforest products as a source of revenue?
2. Should we spearhead a worldwide boycott of products produced or associated with the destruction of the rainforest?
3. Is education the answer? What form would most likely serve our objectives?
4. How can we influence the refocusing of the economy away from the rainforest economy?
5. Would it help to establish taxes on Amazon rainforest exports that would support biodiversity research efforts? What is the best way to implement this plan?
Your delegation consists of the members listed below. (Some links have been provided to help you get started, but do not feel that you are limited to these sources.) You should prepare responses regarding the agenda items in a 20 minute presentation that should include a short question and answer period.
Thank you for coming to the conference. We hope that you will enjoy your stay in Rio!
Created By Cheryl Hach,and Mark G. Peeters
E-mail: Cheryl Hach,and Mark G. Peeters
Kalamazoo Area Math and Science Center
