Africa Geographic May 2008 [antikvár]

founder's note Sfilii' u Until very recently, sustainable living has remained little more than a cry, only faintly heard [and] seldom acted upon ^ ^ In 'Is ecotourism worling?' (see page 65) Ian Michler, who has been contributing to this magazine almost since its inception, asks some penetrating questions of the tourism industry; that based on Africa's bountiful natural areas in particular. As an enduring and steadfast protagonist of nature-based tourism being one of the great economic opportunities open to many African countries, I have, over time, raised many of these issues myself. Like any industry, tourism responds to market forces and tries to give customers what they want. The nature-based niche is no different. Those who get it right prosper and those who don't fade into oblivion. Some of the more farslghted and intuitive operators might even attempt to anticipate the next wave of enthusiams, but most will follow tried and trusted formulas until they no longer work, and then try hard to adapt. The big question is whether any of it is sustainable in the long term, given that more and more people want the wilderness and wildlife 'experience'. When the first issue of this magazine, then under the title of Africa - Environment Wildlife, appeared 15 years ago, the notion of 'sustainable living' was becoming entrenched as the cry of the time. Everything had to be sustainable from industry, agricultural development and human housing to tourism, elephant numbers and the use of wilderness and natural resources. Sadly, until very recently, sustainable living has remained little more than a cry, only faintly heard, seldom acted upon and even then ineffectually. It could not grow to become ourZe/tge/st because its foundation was and still is flawed: sustainability is based on balance and nothing can be balanced if one element grows and consumes all others without check. No prizes for guessing what that 'one element' is us, the human species. Quite literally, we cannot expect to continue growing our own numbers and, at the same time, expect to enjoy the great diversity of natural landscapes and other life forms that have evolved on our planet and that need their share of its resources. In 'Coming of age' (see page 28), Tim Jackson quotes American academic IVIichael Rosenzweig, who maintains that every one per cent reduction of natural area will cost one per cent of biodiversity. Take a look at the annual rate at which humans are transforming global landscapes and one could be forgiven for believing that the end is indeed nigh. Well, it is unlikely to be nigh for human beings, as 1 have enormous faith in our ingenuity and drive to survive. But, what will that survival be like without the other creatures - and plants - that share our home? Back in the early 1970s, the film Soyient Green depicted a dystopian future world where climate change and overpopulation had wrought worldwide havoc. Real food of any description had all but gone and most people eked out their lives on processed food and 'soyient green' wafers. (Watch the movie if you want the recipe!) Not a very agreeable world I would suggest, so let us work towards it not coming about. About our magazine Africa Geographic is editorially and financially independent organisations, but it is not affiliated In any way to these bodies or to any other publishing, envirt non-government _____ __ . ^ _____,____ . .r political interest group. Africa Ceograpfiic strives to foster an awareness of wildlife, conservation, ecotravel, indigenous cultures and the general environment. It consistently advocates the wisest use of natural resources in a manner that involves and is of real benefit to the people of Africa. Africa Geograpiiic is published 11 times a year. —. 6 AFRICA GEOGRAPHIC ¦ MAY 2008