Humans as a species have a tendency to behave like a virus behaves. We attach to a host, use up all the resources and kill our environment. It does not have to be this way. Sustainable Harvest International has developed into a creative, compassionate, and effective organization that is implementing sustainable agriculture in Central America. Together, we can stop massive deforestation and poverty.

1. Sustainable Harvest International

2. Are humans a virus? A virus replicates, destroys its environment, moves to another “host” environment, destroys it, and so on. The environmental degradation that results from human “virus” behavior is an urgent problem. A web of causes perpetuates it. It is an issue that impacts every level of any community, from the single cell to the entire world.

3. With California State University estimating that 33.8 million acres of tropical forest are being slashed and burned every year, deforestation—particularly the deforestation of rainforests in poor Central American countries—is a nightmare. In the next 24 hours, burning trees will release as much CO2 into the air as 8 million people flying from London to New York.

4. Causes World economies that take advantage of the poor and malnourished are pushing industry to scar the earth with deforestation. (Developed countries buy inexpensive food from disadvantaged ones. There is great demand for poor countries to grow more food to feed the developed world. Industry, whether for agriculture or for rainforest products, drives demand. ) The root of hunger and deforestation in Central America is unsustainable agriculture.

5. Sick Lungs of the Earth Of the few rainforest plant species that have been studied by modern medicine, treatments have been found for childhood leukemia, breast cancer, high blood pressure, asthma, and scores of other illnesses. An Associated Content article notes that “the vast majority of food consumed in the world today came at one point from rainforests. As such, countless varieties of potential future crops are being lost with the rainforests…all of which could potentially be grown and eaten elsewhere.” Experts estimate that we are losing 130 species of rainforests plants, animals and insects every single day. Deforestation intensifies hurricanes, flooding and landslides. Because western countries frequently come to the financial aid of countries that have been struck by disaster, deforestation is costly for United States citizens beyond climate change. The loss of rainforests damages all life on our planet.

6. . Burning rainforests can even be seen from space.

7. Causes poverty and hunger motivate farmers to slash and burn forests.For instance, UNICEF estimates there are 1.6 million children living in poverty in Nicaragua – the second poorest country in the Western hemisphere. Poor farmers believe if they burn or cut down more trees, they will have more land on which to grow more food to sell for an income. Undereducated farmers are using inefficient and environmentally damaging methods of cultivation. This is the area where Sustainable Harvest International makes a big positive impact.

8. Poverty

9. Simplicity and Genius Using one unified strategy that concentrates on growing food in a way that will feed families all year, make them money, and heal the land all at the same time, SHI works through a simply admirable paradigm. For example, Alley Croppingis a technique that SHI teaches farmers so they can restore nitrogen to the top layer of soil and use the same piece of land year after year to grow their crops.

10. Alley Cropping Nitrogen-fixing trees are planted between rows of such staple crops as corn and cassava. These trees have strong roots that carry nitrogen from deep in the earth up to the topsoil.

11. To address the obvious deforestation that relying on firewood for fuel causes, SHI implements what is called, the biogas digester— a long plastic tube into which families pour water and manure mixed with other organic material. As the material within the digester decomposes in an anaerobic setting, methane gas is released. The gas can then be tapped and used for cooking!

12. Biogas Digester These are just two of SHI’s wonderful practices on a list that includes organic gardens, ecological toilets, and other projects, like tree-planting. SHI “has helped families to plant more than 2 million trees and convert thousands of acres of land to sustainable uses…”

13. Trustworthy The quality of Sustainable Harvest International is validated by Charity Navigator, a website that evaluates charities’ financial health. Ken Berger, President of Charity Navigator announced that SHI has earned 4 consecutive highest 4-star ratings for its “ability to efficiently grow and manage its finances…Only 7% of charities rated by Charity Navigator receive that 4 star rating…This ‘exceptional’ designation demonstrates to the public that it is worthy of their trust.”

14. Visualize a world where all life is valued, respected, and cared for, whether that life is a hungry farming family living in Central America, or a medicinal plant deep in the rainforest. Take action by joining with Sustainable Harvest International.

15. You are the foundation Through creative and efficient work, SHI can fix poverty and environmental damage. Become an environmental steward, a humanitarian bastion by joining SHI. Donate money by logging on to their website and following the instructions. www.sustainableharvest.org Have you always wanted to travel? Join a Smaller World Tour for a meaningful adventure to Central America where you’ll actually be building wood-conserving stoves and irrigation systems.

16. How you can help If you are fluent in Spanish, you can help SHI as a translator. If you are a science or mathematics major, you can offer your special skills in ecology and technology. For English and Communications majors, there is much grant-writing and press-releasing to be done. All of us can coordinate an event that supports SHI’s work. At the very least, cut down on your consumption.

17. Martin Luther King Jr. knew that “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Have faith that each dollar you donate to Sustainable Harvest International—each volunteer hour you spend with your hands in the soil—is justice.

18. For more, watch SHI’s documentary: Planting Hope http://www.sustainableharvest.org/en/watch-planting-hope-the-story-of-shi

19. Sources Agriculture at a Crossroads’ Global Report, IAASTD, 2009 http://www.associatedcontent.com/topic/32043/deforestation.html?cat=47 California State University http://www.csupomona.edu/~admckettrick/projects/ag101_project/html/destruction.html Charity Navigator http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=8827 Daniel Howden Deforestation: The hidden cause of global warming 14 May 2007 (He mentions the Oxford-based Global Canopy Programme as a source for his article) http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/deforestation-the-hidden-cause-of-global-warming-448734.html Friends of the Earth International Labour Organization, 2009 Karen Ehrhardt-Martinez Social Determinants of Deforestation in Developing Countries: A Cross-National Study & A Synthesis of Information on Rapid Land-cover Change for the Period 1981-2000 As used in this article: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1303851/deforestation_problem_and_solutions_pg3.html?cat=4 Millennium Development Goals Report, 2007 http://www.nationalgeographic.com/eye/deforestation/effect.html Noticiero Pacifica Rainforest Deforestation has Much More Dire Consequences than Those Recognized by Environmentalists and Preservationists http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/240017/the_economic_consequences_of_rainforest.html?cat=9 http://www.rain-tree.com/ UNICEF

20. Slideshow by Benjamin Chadwell West Chester University of Pennsylvania Honors College