Federal Remarks on the Impact of Logging
The remarks below were given at a luncheon attended by members of countries across the globe. The statements made stand true for logging whether it is considered "legal" or "illegal", a finite differentiator created by the powers that be. Loss of a tree is loss of a tree. Destroyed watershed is destroyed watershed. Impacted animals don't care if their habitat is destroyed legally or illegally. The term "illegal" is a paper term The impact is the same.
Perhaps our administration needs to be reminded of these stirring words and sentiments.
This initiative (against illegal logging) reaffirms
The impact of these crimes -- and let's call them for what they are --
crimes -- the impact of these crimes does not stop with the land and the people
of the forest that has been despoiled. We are all impoverished whenever
environmental crime creates a tree that absorbs carbon dioxide and destroys
that tree, destroys that tree and removes the replenishing value that that tree
provides to our atmosphere and its life-giving oxygen that comes out from our
vegetation. We are all at risk when deforestation plants the seed of despair in
a new human heart.
The Earth's forests are the patrimony of all, and we will
work with community leaders to make sure that the people most affected have a
say in managing their forests. Our goal is to set in motion a virtuous circle
in which people take pride in their forests and accept responsibility for
managing them in a responsible manner.
We will also harness market forces to give people an incentive, an incentive to preserve the forests for their long-term benefit, not chop them down indiscriminately for short-term -- and short-sighted -- gain.
My friends, we have a special bond with our environment, linked forever with
our love of democracy. It runs in our blood. It is part of who we are as a
people.
July 28, 2003
Remarks by Secretary of State Colin L. Powell
On the Launch of President Bush's Initiative Against Illegal Logging