From bioenergy to smart conservation

Submitted By Biopact
People come and go, and so do websites. With Biopact, we have tried to promote bioenergy in Africa as a way to help small farmers make a better living. We did so by pointing at possible strategies to use natural resources in as intelligent a manner as possible, and by connecting initiatives dealing with agriculture, forestry and bioenergy. We hinted at the role Europe could play by re-writing trade rules, farm subsidies and international development policies.

The small group of dedicated people who wrote for Biopact have learned a lot during these past few years. We learned, for example, that large-scale biofuel production may do a lot of harm, while small-scale, locally rooted bioenergy initiatives may change lives for the better. We gained an insight into new farming techniques, like biochar, which may help tackle key problems in the developing world. We changed perspectives when it became clear that the interrelated threats of climate change and energy insecurity require far more action on the part of individuals, communities and governments. And above all, we came to think that the few patches of untouched nature we have left on this planet, need to be conserved.

This is why we are pleased to refer our readers from now on to Mongabay - one of the most insightful resources on tropical conservation. Besides offering an overview of the latest in conservation science, Mongabay also tracks developments in the bioenergy sector, in climate change, and in the emerging markets for ecosystem services. It is one of the few resources which tries to go beyond classic contradictions and oppositions between conservation and development. Instead, Mongabay continuously explores ways to bridge this gap.

Meanwhile, the Biopact editors, writers and enthusiasts – who all worked as volunteers – move on to do other things. Some of us remain active in the bioenergy sector, while others plan to undertake entirely new adventures. We want to thank our readers for their loyalty, and hope they have gained as many insights into the topics we covered, as we have.

Signing off,
The Biopact team

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