SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Sustainability is development that satisfies the needs of the present without compromising the capacity of future generations, guaranteeing the balance between economic growth, care for the environment and social well-being.

The UNITED NATIONS Sustainable Development Goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. Addressing the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation and prosperity.

In Europe, much is made of the additionality derived from the general public having access to forests during leisure time. This is known as additionality, and is a word used to justify the expenditure of a forest establishment and maintenance when the public purse is used. Mere do not use public funds, so have less burden of accountability for additionality. There is a fine line in a commercial plantation operation between respecting the forest community and their traditional access for hunting, gathering and medicine, and keeping the forest safe. By far the vast majority of forest fires in the dry season occur as a result of human activity. Lighting of fires for cooking, boiling water, washing, are all major contributors to wildfire in a forest reserve. There are also farmers and hunters both on and off reserve that use fire to clear land. In the dry season, grasses are tinder dry. The slightest spark can cause fire that if unchecked, can consume mile after mile of area. Once control is lost, of even a small cooking fire, the effects can be devastating. Mere spend considerable amounts of money each year on the establishment and maintenance of internal and external fire rides. At 8m wide, the external rides will halt the advancement of a full-blown forest fire. Mere also invest heavily each year in training local communities in fire protection and management.

Tradition says that the spirit of the ancestors lives in the forests. As the forest is seen as a constant, and a resource that has always been there you can see where this belief would come from. As long as anyone can remember, the forest has provided everything the community has needed. Ranging from food to medicine, clothes to shelter, everything needed to survive and thrive can be found in the forest. Mere want this to continue, just adapting to the 21st century. With quality jobs, training and community engagement the forest can continue to provide. The currency may evolve from hunting and gathering of bounty from the forest to employment in the forest, the reserve continues to allow the local community to raise their families in this spectacular environment. That coupled with the potential of a healthy return make our business, and product offering a beacon in the confusion that is climate change and development aid.