Jorge Cabrera - 'Selfishness is a form of environmental terrorism'

Within a decade we will see serious and irreversible effects of environmental deterioration, says this Costa Rican expert in environmental law and author of legislation to protect biodiversity.

SAN JOSE - "The monetarist vision of development is one of the main threats against the environment," said Costa Rican attorney, one of the world's leading environmental law experts, in an exclusive interview with Tierramérica.

In 1998, when he was 28, Cabrera drafted the Biodiversity Law of Costa Rica, the first aimed at regulating environmental matters, such as protected areas, conservation of ecosystems and access to genetic resources.

The next year, the U.S. magazine Time and the cable TV news channel CNN recognized him as one of the new Latin American leaders of the new millennium.

"Given the current rate of depletion of natural resources and the growth of the world population, in 10 years we will see serious, irreversible and critical effects on the environment," said Cabrera, a member of the independent National Biodiversity Institute, university professor and consultant to governments, financial institutions and United Nations agencies.

Tierramérica: What is the greatest environmental sin committed by Latin Americans?
Jorge Cabrera: We have definitely committed -- and continue to commit -- two major sins: pollution and poor forest management.

Do you see a "green" horizon for the World Summit on Sustainable Development, to take place in South Africa Aug 26-Sep 4?
I have my doubts about the level of success of the Johannesburg Summit. It will only achieve progress if the world leaders are able to establish strong environmental governance and a synergy among development, trade and environmental policies.

Who do you believe are the worst ecological terrorists?
Selfishness and the shortsightedness of corporate interests.

If the planet is a time bomb, when do think it will be detonated?
Given the current rate of depletion of natural resources and the growth of the world population, in 10 years we will see serious, irreversible and critical effects on the environment.

What do you consider the most common environmental crime today?
The contamination of our water resources.

As an attorney, who would you refuse to defend in an environmental trial?
Anyone for whom monetary interests prevail over nature and life.

If you were an adviser to U.S. President George W. Bush, what would you tell him?
I would say to him that the United States has to participate more in the multilateral efforts to protect the environment. He cannot be a national leader and ignore the environmental issue.

Would there be lawyers in an earthly ecological paradise?
There is a joke that says it is very difficult to find a lawyer in heaven... but in spite of that I do believe there are attorneys committed to the environment and who are passionate about that responsibility.

What kind of law does the planet need most?
Comprehensive laws on biodiversity, integral legislation that has a broad scope and that responds to the challenge of environmental development.

Which international environmental hero do you believe deserves a statue in her/his honor?
The late ecologist Chico Mendes (assassinated in 1988 in the Brazilian Amazon by killers on the bankroll of large local landowners).

* Néfer Muñoz is an IPS correspondent.