FORESTS OR FIELDS - A RESPONSE TO THE THEORY THAT TROPICAL FOREST CONSERVATION POSES A THREAT TO THE POOR

The theory that tropical forest conservation poses a threat to the poor is put forward in David Wood's article, 'Forests to fields: restoring tropical lands to agriculture', published in this issue of Land Use Policy. Wood proposes to open to deforestation almost all of the tropical forests that are still standing. Conversion to non-forest uses would be promoted through increased flows of international funds with fewer provisions regarding sustainability and environmental protection than such projects currently have. These proposals are unwise and dangerous.