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Environmental Research and Reporting in Latin America

LAMP FORUM

In August 2005 we asked Latin America Media Project (LAMP) members a few questions about the current state and future of environmental reporting in the region. We received the following responses from Joe Gardner Wessely, Latin America Data Base, Joachim Bamrud, Latin Business Chronicle, Ron Mader, Planeta.com and Bill Hinchberger, BrazilMax.

What are three most important environmental stories you reported or published in 2005?

Bill Hinchberger, BrazilMax: Interview with director of Renctas, anti-animal traffic, for EcoAméricas;
series of articles about community eco projects for the Global Greengrants Foundation.

Joe Gardner Wessely, Latin America Database: Chile Sues Pulp Mill, Brazil: Murder of Nun, Colombia: Anti-Coca Fumigation

Ron Mader, Planeta.com: Oaxaca City's Zócalo, Carrying capacity: it's time to let it go, Defining Wilderness

What are the most important Latin American environmental news stories issues this year?

Bill Hinchberger, BrazilMax: The issues are really the same around the world. In Brazil, the big issue is the lack of concern for the environment by the Lula administration - especially since everyone had such high hopes for intitiatives in sustainable development.

Joe Gardner Wessely, Latin America Database: Cellulose production, urban air quality, monocultural expansion in agriculture due in part to increased demand from China, global warming issues, Amazonian forest depletion, petroleum exploration contamination, free trade negotiations between US and Colombia, Ecuador & Peru (global biodiversity repositories), governmental enforcement efforts (like in Chile against Celco).

Ron Mader, Planeta.com: Water pollution, habitat conservation, recycling.

Do you have any specific suggestions on improving the paying market for environmental news coverage of Latin America?

Joe Gardner Wessely, Latin America Database: If I knew that I'd probably be making more and traveling on somebody else's dime. Seriously though, I think a public broadcasting infrastructure the scope of what the British or Canadian broadcast systems have created would be extremely important in improving the quality of international public affairs reporting U.S. viewers and readers could get.

Do you have recommendations for researchers and journalists covering Latin American environmental news?

Bill Hinchberger, BrazilMax: Learn Spanish and/or Portuguese. Cultivate your own sources and story ideas. Don't just piggyback the local press.

Do you have any special plans for the coming year?

Joachim Bamrud, Latin Business Chronicle: We hope to publish an special report on Latin America's environment and its impact on business later this year.

Ron Mader, Planeta.com: In 2006 we will update our guide to Mexican parks and protected areas and offer seminars on Sustainable Development Reporting.

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