The ethics of eco-philanthropy

In an article published in March, Dr Roberto Delgado Gallart, Director for the Centro Latinoamericano de Responsabilidad Social (Latin American Centre for Social Responsibility - CLARES), contemplates ethical aspects of philanthropy, particularly regarding the actions of eco-philanthropists who acquire tropical forested areas.

His reflection was inspired by the article entitled ‘All About Eco-Philanthropy’, published by CNN. The CNN article notes that in 2006, the world’s richest people donated $285 billion to charity, with 11 per cent of the rich donating 7 per cent of their fortunes and 17 per cent of the ultra rich (those with more than USD 30 million) donating 10 per cent of their wealth.

Dr Delgado Gallart believes that if a millionaire who is concerned about deforestation acquires thousands of square kilometres of tropical forest in a country to prevent its destruction by loggers or farmers and allows indigenous communities to continue living on the land, ‘his conduct may seem impeccable.’

However, Delgado Gallart says, ‘there are those who believe that, in reality, it is a way to appropriate a common good, and that leaving local communities alone to preserve nature would be sufficient. Still others believe that by acquiring large extensions of land, in reality what they are doing hurts the country, since ownership of the land is lost and is passed on to foreigners.’

For more information
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/BUSINESS/03/02/eco.philanthropy/index.html