Reductions Redux

---

The New York Times reported today that colonialist moves are taking place in South America. The article points the finger not at multi-national corporations or armed conquistadors. But, rather, one of the world’s leading environmental nonprofit organizations.

The World Wildlife Fund has, according to the times, been making an assertive effort to place control of rain forest lands into the arms of an international body. Much to the distaste of Brazil leaders and interested corporate industries, such control threatens the lucrative mining and construction industry. Though environmentalists argue that Brazille is 4th in global greenhouse gas emissions, and ¾ of that comes from deforestization.

The word “Cololialists” is a loaded word in Latin America. And I’m sure the heavy handed corporate PR offices will try to use it to their advantage. I’d rather like to think of the WWF’s move is more nostalgic for the Jesuit Reductions of the 17th century, than the hostile colonization by European kings. The reductions, which The Mission portrayed in 1986, were a collection of communal villages that strived for a eutopian existence amidst the hostile Spanish conquistadors The villages, which shared property in common and provided public schools and services, were under the control of the Jesuit Fathers, who held no Sovran claim over South America. Instead, their focus was on preserving the lives of the indigenous peoples and trying to create, as they saw it, a Christian paradise on earth.

Now, I’m not suggesting that the WWF is trying to evangelize South America. They’re not in the business of saving souls, but saving trees. However, their efforts raise a vital issue in the global campaign to save the planet. How far can a nonprofit go to save the earth? Do they have the power to go up against military forces and corporate machines? The Jesuits eventually fell to king’s rule in the mid 1700s and were excommunicated from the Catholic Church for over fifty years. Even recent efforts for the little fish to take on the shark have failed. My mouth is still bitter with Columbian coffee. However, few nonprofits have been able to show their strength like the WWF. So, I remain hopeful that Brazille’s rain forests can be saved by this recent power play. Look what they did to the WWE. If that doesn’t show muscle, than I don’t know what does.