Written by: Kimberly White
One South American nation plans to protect nearly all of its forests. In the weeks leading up to last year’s COP30 in Brazil, the Surinamese Government announced it would permanently protect 90 percent of its tropical forests.
“We understand and accept the immense responsibility of stewarding over 15 million hectares of tropical rainforest in a world that is seeing her forests fall day in and day out,” stated Suriname President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons. “And it is because of this responsibility that we are envisioning an economy that is powered by our rich forests and biodiversity while providing decent jobs and incomes for all our citizens.”
The historic pledge has been lauded by environmental groups as ambitious and a powerful example for other nations to follow.
“This sets a new standard for the Amazonian region as a whole, which has suffered from serious deforestation in recent decades,” said Russell Mittermeier, Chief Conservation Officer at Re:wild, the Leonardo DiCaprio-backed conservation group dedicated to the protection and restoration of wild threatened species and ecosystems.
Globally, Suriname leads the world in remaining forest cover, with an estimated 93 percent of the country still enveloped by pristine tropical forest. The nation’s forests are a vital carbon sink, sequestering upwards of 900 million metric tons of carbon.
Suriname is one of nine countries that harbor the Amazon rainforest, placing it at the heart of one of the world’s most critical ecosystems. The South American nation is home to a wide range of iconic wildlife, including jaguars, lowland tapirs, giant river otters, blue poison dart frogs, and more than 700 bird species.
Thus far, Suriname has remained largely untouched by extractive industries such as logging, mining, and agriculture, which have caused significant environmental damage in neighboring countries in the Amazonian region. The landmark move to protect its forests has the potential to ensure the nation remains an ecological safe haven.
“President Geerlings-Simons and her government’s commitment to protect over 90 percent of Suriname’s forests is nothing short of historic,” said Rainforest Trust CEO James Deutsch. “It signals to the world that Suriname is ready to lead, not only in words, but in action, in protecting nature and tackling climate change.”
To support the nation’s conservation pledge, a coalition of environmental donors has pledged $20 million to help establish and manage protected areas. Donors include the Rainforest Trust, Art into Acres, the Andes Amazon Fund, the Liz Claiborne and Art Ortenberg Foundation, and Re:wild.
Header Image Credit: Chris Jordan/Re:wild
