G

FROMTHEEDITOR

A growing problem

Back in March of last year, Geographical highlighted the myriad environmental problems being posed by the cultivation of palm oil (Seeds of destruction), particularly in Southeast Asia. This highly adaptable substance is used in any number of everyday products, from biscuits and ice cream to shampoo, deodorant and make-up. But its popularity has seen cultivation spread rapidly, leading to the destruction of vast areas of pristine rainforest. But there a few more twists to this tale. Palm oil has recently emerged as a potential biofuel, increasing the potential demand for the oil. This increase in demand is seeing the crop spread out of its heartland in Malaysia and Indonesia and into other parts of the world, bringing with it not only environmental damage, but increasing instances of social damage. One country that’s particularly keen to join the palm oil revolution is Colombia. As Christian Aid’s Dominic Nutt writes in this month’s issue (page 58), the Colombian government wants to see the area under cultivation rise from 300,000 hectares to 700,000 hectares in the next four years. But much of the land on which this expansion will take place has been stolen from poor farmers by paramilitary groups, exacerbating an internal refugee crisis that has seen millions of people flee their homes during the past 20 years. This story once again highlights the global reach of capitalism – how decisions that you make in your local Tesco can affect the lives of peasants in remote parts of Colombia.

geordie@geographical.co.uk

This month’s cover Low tide reveals the causeway leading to St Michael’s Mount, off the Penwith Peninsula, Cornwall. This historic island, viewable from many angles inside the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, was an important trading hub for the export of tin and copper to Europe between 400 BC and 400 AD. Photograph: Helen Dixon/ www.helendixonphotography.co.uk

Who said that? “My mother did draw the line at snakes, so I never snuck one of those into the house”

Find out on page 65

AMONG THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS

Hugh Warwick is an Oxford-based writer and photographer who specialises in wildlife and the environment. After completing his Masters in wildlife management and undertaking a series of freelance ecological projects, he drifted into journalism, and he has had articles and photos published in all of the major newspapers as well as magazines such as New Scientist and BBC Wildlife. In this month’s issue, Hugh heads upwards to investigate the biodiversity benefi ts of green roofs (page 38)

In 1977, Daniel Stiles went to Kenya to lecture at the University of Nairobi and began researching hunter-gatherers and nomadic pastoralists. Since then, he has worked for the UN Environment Programme and turned his hand to writing, publishing more than 160 articles in a wide variety of magazines, including BBC Wildlife, Natural History and Nature. On page 44, Daniel describes his encounter with a little-known group of hunter-gatherers in the dry forests of Madagascar

Matthieu Paley has worked as a professional photographer since 1998, and his images have featured in publications such as Newsweek, Time, Vanity Fair and Outside. After a three-year stint in New York, Matthieu moved to northern Pakistan in 1999, where he worked for NGOs such as the World Conservation Union and the Aga Khan Foundation. While exploring an ancient branch of the Silk Road, he documented Kyrgyz yak caravans in the Little Pamir (page 30)

JULY 2007 Volume 79 Number 7

Publisher Graeme Gourlay Editor Geordie Torr Features Editor Natalie Hoare Art Director Alison Moffat Senior Staff Writer Johannah Sargent Picture Researcher Liz Fensome Equipment Editor Paul Deegan Production Manager Chris Gregory Special Reports Editor Charlie Furniss Cartographer John Plumer Circulation Manager Sara Howers Accounts Ryan Wantling Advertising Manager Tolga Dervish Classified and Website Sales Ian Nunoo Advertisement Production Becca Higgins

Editorial Advisory Board Chris Bonington, Ron Cooke, Nicholas Crane, Rita Gardner, Robin Hanbury-Tenison, Annabel Huxley, Vanessa Lawrence, Nick Middleton, David Rhind, Anthony Sattin, Rex Walford, Nigel de N Winser

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4 www.geographical.co.uk JULY 2007