The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil certification system may be masking the conflict and environmental degradation that remains at the core of the industry.
Colombian Army blocks the road, uproots fruit trees, and poisons streams in an effort to displace communities. An Army slogan is “Yes, there are Heroes in Colombia”—is poisoning wells ever heroic?
The Atlantic Concession Railway links the coal mines of Cesar to the ports of Santa Marta. The traditional ways of life and artisenal industries of communities at both ends of the track have been destroyed by environmental damage, leading to their forced displacement.
NACLA hosted a panel discussion on the Drug War and the Environment in Latin America at the 2013 Left Forum. Listen to economist David Barkin discuss alternative community approaches to environmental sustainability in Latin America.
