International Day of Struggle Against Monoculture Tree Plantations 2021

After more than 50 years of struggle by peasant communities who have faced all kinds of environmental and social destruction, the highest court of Cauca Valley has ruled against the industrial plantation company, Smurfit Kappa Cartón Colombia.

Plantation companies often argue that local populations are destroying the forests, particularly where people depend on firewood and/or charcoal for their energy needs. Thus, they argue, industrial plantations can “sustainably” provide this wood. But this is simply not true.

One of the latent dangers that comes with the establishment of monoculture plantations—which is generally invisible—is the high use of agrochemicals. Agrochemicals support profits for plantation companies and their financiers, while poisoning life.

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Language is never neutral. Certain concepts have historically been used to dominate people and territories. This article highlights concepts that are usually presented in a positive light but that actually serve economic interests that harm forests and communities.

The company, Portucel, considers its thousands of hectares of plantations in Mozambique to be “sustainable,” despite serious problems and conflicts with and among local communities.

Anne Petermann, coordinator of the global Stop GE-Trees Campaign, explains what Genetically Engineered trees are, the risks, uncertainties and context.

WRM releases five short videos which shows why industrial tree plantations are not forests. The first one is about the impacts of large-scale tree plantations in general. The other remaining four focus on specific topics: oil palm plantations, pulpwood plantations, impacts on water and certifications. The videos are available in two formats: - On the WRM YouTube cannel, to share on web sites, social networks, via e-mail, etc. - Versions in low resolution to download and share via WhatsApp and Telegram and for use in locations with slow Internet connection.