The Loss of a Visionary
The environmentalist community is in mourning with the loss of Mariano Cenamo, a tireless defender of sustainable Amazon bioeconomy, who passed away at the age of 46. Cenamo dedicated his career to finding solutions to the persistent problem of Amazon rainforest destruction, which is driven by the pursuit of economic profit.
The Conservation Challenge
An intact hectare of forest stores carbon, regulates water, supports wildlife, and provides food and materials for the people who live there. However, much of this value is not reflected in economic accounting. Cattle ranching, timber, soy, and gold, on the other hand, have clear economic value. For a farmer, a company, or a local government, clearing the forest can generate income more easily than keeping it standing.
Bioeconomy as a Solution
Amazonian bioeconomy has emerged as an attempt to change this equation. It includes forest products, agroforestry, biotechnology, carbon markets, and other businesses that depend on the maintenance of living forests. The goal is to make these activities commercially viable on a scale that matters.
Mariano Cenamo's Career
Cenamo spent most of his career working on this problem. He moved to Manaus in 2003, at the age of 23, after graduating in forestry engineering from the University of São Paulo. He was drawn to the Amazon by an internship and stayed on at the encouragement of Virgílio Viana, a former professor who was then the secretary of environment for the state of Amazonas.
Mariano Cenamo's Legacy
Cenamo was instrumental in creating Idesam, the Institute for the Conservation and Sustainable Development of the Amazon, in 2004. He worked tirelessly to find solutions to the problem of Amazon rainforest destruction, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of environmentalists and defenders of sustainable bioeconomy.
Consequences and Future Challenges
The loss of Mariano Cenamo leaves a void in the environmentalist community, but it also serves as a reminder of the challenges that still need to be overcome. Sustainable Amazon bioeconomy still faces many obstacles, including lack of funding, corruption, and economic pressure to deforest.
Source / Reference
This article was originally published on Mongabay.