Rhett Butler: Giving A Danum

He’s been charged by elephants, black-listed by the Malaysian government, caught-up in tribal warfare in New Guinea and been bitten, stung and infected by creatures still unknown to science. Tonight, Rhett Butler (yes, that really is his name and no, we’re not afraid to go there) talks to us.

Rhett is the founder of mongabay.com, one of the web’s most popular and influential environmental websites. It receives over two million hits per year, funding Rhett’s impressive travels through banner ads, consultancy work and selling his stunning nature photography on-line.

His passion is protecting endemic wildlife in the places where it’s most diverse. However, because those places are shrinking under the pressure of an expanding global marketplace, these days people like Rhett no longer talk about protecting the jungles of Borneo (or the rainforests of Eastern Madagascar). They talk about protecting the Danum Valley (or the Masoala peninsula).

Inspiring stuff. Join us.

Presented by Peter Cox, Ali Gardiner, Dave Bartram and Ian Winn.

Join us in the chat room for next week’s live show!

  • http://www.litopia.com/radio/litopians/ian-winn/ Ian Winn

    sorry, there Mike, the destruction of old growth wilderness--on whatever scale--gets me kind of ranty and emotional, thanks for setting me straight… now better understanding what you’re dealing with in Peru I wonder which is worse: large-scale mining companies receiving tacit approval from the government to raze the jungle leaving toxic tailings in their wake, or swarms of wildcat miners doing same because the government lacks the resources or political will to stop them. At least in the latter case the wealth would be better distributed (though it probably just goes to gangleaders I’m guessing, sigh)? …. and while I envy your location (the reptile life must be fascinating) I don’t envy your position on the front lines of this battle, watching beauty fall to saws and bulldozers on a daily basis… respect, and keep fighting the good fight!

  • Mike Langford

    Hi Ian

    The Palm plantations are increasing up north in the peruvian amazon as well. what we have down here in the south-east is even more difficult to control as it is thr small-scale gold miners, hundreds of them who are causing the destruction.

  • http://www.litopia.com/radio/litopians/ian-winn/ Ian Winn

    It’s the same story all over the world as unaccountable multi-national
    corporations convert, in this case we mentioned, ancient uncut rainforests into palm
    plantations all for the sake of cheaper doughnuts and other things most
    people don’t even consider. For you it’s surface gold and somewhere else it’s cobalt, all made possible by little governmental oversight, widespread corruption and a global lack of awareness or concern. Rhett is a truly an inspirational figure,
    raising consciousness and spreading objective truth on environmental
    matters, and on his own terms no less. Nigh on bloody heroic if you ask
    me… Anyway, sorry to rant but glad to hear you’re fighting the good fight in Peru-- would love to visit someday!

  • http://www.facebook.com/cathy.a.tiffany Cathy Anderson Tiffany

    Thanks for such a thought-provoking interview. I appreciate the candid questions and answers; good, good stuff.

  • http://www.litopia.com/radio/ AgentPete

    Thanks… Rhett was a great guest, and how nice to hear
    about an environmental issue that demonstrates the powerful effects that
    ordinary people can have!

  • Mike Langford

    Great interview, really enjoyed it. With the Interoceanic Highway now open here in Peru we are hoping that it does not lead to the deforestation evident on the Brazilian side. I promote responsible travel to the Peruvian Amazon Tambopata region which has been recently hit by large-scale ”informal” surface gold mining and deep-seated corruption. what we do have here though is a good base of ongoing scientific research and eco-friendly tourism operators along with community-based conservation & tourism projects which gives us great hope for the long-term conservation of large areas of untouched rainforest.

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