Eco-Friendly Microfinance: It's Time To Clean Up The Bandwagon

DeSmogBlog:

Microfinance is intended to help the poor. The poor are often the most affected by climate change. Yet, some microfinance programs actually further contribute to climate change... which, again, may disproportionately affect impoverished populations.

It should be made clear that in no way are these findings meant to deter supporters of microfinance. Countless people have been empowered and had their lives positively changed through microfinance. Rather, microfinance organizations must embrace green jobs as the opportunities of the future. Green microfinance is now emerging as a chance to both empower people and protect the environment at the same time.

Read the whole story: DeSmogBlog

Comments

[mattrbb]

06:09 PM on 05/05/2011

Crushing poverty is devastating to individuals and nations. The consequences of starvation and destitution far outweigh most environmental concerns. Dictators rise when people are hopeless. Of course, environmental laws must be followed. But let's not over think this.

[Genders]

12:42 PM on 04/07/2011

Duh, no microloans for nukes and coal....

[Dr Scott]

11:14 AM on 04/07/2011

Microfinance isn't the problem. People are the problem. Frankly, there are too damn many of us. Saving the environment at this point is an unachievable dream. As the developing world emerges, the demand for more and more of everything will lead to habitat loss and direct destruction of all large mammals. We can delay the devastation, but we can't stop it. The planet's fate was sealed when the global human population hit 1 billion.

[Wanderland]

08:03 AM on 04/07/2011

This article is pretty lame. Microfinance "could" harm the environment -- yes, if it is used to finance environmentally destructive activities. What a shock!

[BlacknProud310]

11:37 AM on 04/07/2011

Great observation as ultimately all things we do will effect us one way or another. I just thought that I would never see the day when the microfinance people would be picked on as this is ultimately that last proverbial house on the block for many our Earth neighbors. I am also an avid supporter (financially) of microfinance. I could think of many more significant things to discuss than this.