GAP Project considers that the destruction of the tropical forests is the cause of more than 50% of the climate changes that are happening in the world. These changes result in droughts, floodings, earthquakes, abnormal temperature variations etc. If this is not stopped, not only the animals that live on the planet will be extinct, but also humans are threatened to suffer from the same consequences.

Fifty four high level African leaders and 12 South-Americans will participate of this event and must receive the message, directly and clearly, of the responsibility that they have and of the fact that they should take urgent measures to stop the fast destruction of the forests of the planet.

See the complete communication:

PRESS RELEASE

26-27 SEPTEMBER – SUMMIT OF AFRICA AND SOUTH AMERICA COUNTRIES

THE GREAP APE PROJECT ASKS AFRICA – SOUTH AMERICA SUMMIT THAT THE DESTRUCTION OF TROPICAL FORESTS CEASES IMMEDIATELY AND THAT THEY ARE DECLARED HUMANITY PATRIMONY

In view of the celebration of the summit Africa – South America at Isla Margarita (Venezuela), where 54 African and 12 South American chiefs of state will attend in order to tighten the links between African and South American continents, thus creating the South-South Axis, the Great Ape Project (GAP), together with other international organizations, asks this summit that the tropical forests of both continents are protected by the corresponding governments. Multinational corporations, which destroy forests to the detriment of people that inhabit them (human population as well as biodiversity), must not be allowed to enter that forests.

GAP asserts that irreversible destruction of primary forests is responsible for more than 50% of the climatic change we are facing. This is the reason why the leaders of the countries where these vegetation covered areas are located must take a definite and courageous step, refusing the access of the multinational corporations that exploit their resources and asking the international community to involve itself in the conservation of forests.

Tropical forests are not only important because they absorb CO2. The experts of this organization assert that they also work as temperature regulators, as microclimates which in turn regulate other climates. The difference in temperature between equatorial and polar regions, together with the rotation of the Earth, shape the scheme of winds for the whole planet.

By destroying the forests, we modify these microclimates, these equatorial winds, which, by a butterfly effect, affect the climate of the whole world: bigger storms, megadroughts, floods, higher number of violent hurricanes, as well as many other consequences typical of climatic change.

GAP asks as well the leaders gathered at the summit that they make all efforts to protect both the population and the resources. Deforestation, starvation, poverty, wars, internal conflicts and many other problems are caused mainly by leaders who do not seek the welfare of their people and who do not try to solve their problems. Multinational companies and western countries are also largely responsible, as they should not allow companies to carry out in these countries any operation which has not been socially and environmentally supervised.

GAP also states that thousands of immigrants have to leave their countries, risking their lives during the journey, due to the lack of ethical and moral responsibility of the leaders. The corruption of civil servants, as well as economic interests, has priority in many countries who suffer high levels of poverty and in which freedom is internationally questioned.

Pedro Pozas Terrados, Executive Director of Great Ape Project in Spain, stated: “We ask the leaders of the countries that participate of this summit to ask jointly United Nations that the tropical forests are declared Humanity Patrimony and that their inhabitants may enjoy lasting peace surrounded by their rich biodiversity. We ask as well that the leaders undertake to respect human rights and to help their people to overcome the extreme poverty that they often suffer. They must ensure that the important natural resources they possess entail wealth for the population, not only for those who exploit them for their own benefit.”

Pozas has also stated that it is a unique chance for them to leave their mark in the history of humanity. They must forcefully ask wealthy countries to cease immediately all activities of multinational corporations that operate in their countries, exploit their resources and give very little in exchange, fomenting even in some countries armed conflicts and dissension.

GAP wants this summit to be a worldwide model of leaders uniting in favor of their people, their citizens, their land and the conservation of biodiversity.

GREAT APE PROJECT- END OF PRESS RELEASE

For additional information, please contact:

Pedro Pozas Terrados
Secretary General
Great Ape Project /Spain
www.proyectogransimio.org
nautilusmar@yahoo.es
Tel.: 678 708 832