Reciprocal Environmental Agreements: a valuable tool for advancing sustainability

Описание: In this talk, historical and contemporary approaches to conservation are critically examined, and it is argued that the idea of a "pristine" environment untouched by humans is inconsistent with reality (there has been extensive human reshaping of the land over thousands of years). Given the mutual influence between human actors and nature and the local ecological knowledge developed by communities living on the land for millennia, the planet should be regarded as a social-ecological system. Hence, the involvement of local people in nature stewardship is crucial.

Despite good intentions, traditional conservation (often based on creating protected areas) has led to the severe problem of alienation, which continues to drive conflict with biodiversity protection today. The problem of alienation and its consequences are explained in detail. The continued decline in biodiversity is an indicator of the limitations of traditional conservation approaches.

To address these failures, Reciprocal Environmental Agreements (REAs) are suggested as a suitable solution. An REA is a collaborative framework focused on negotiating concrete commitments between conservation organizations and individuals (rather than communities), offering support in exchange for sustainable environmental practices. A study on REAs in Cameroon by Jacques Kuenbou demonstrated positive impacts on both wildlife stability and human well-being, increasing participants' wealth, food security, and positive attitudes towards conservation. This offers a promising new model for restoring harmony between people and nature.