Human Development Index
Top thirty countries (HDI range from 0.965 down to 0.885 - for more information about HDI)
Out of 30 countries, 21 are in Europe (6 in the top 10).

1. Norway 0.965
2. Iceland 0.960
3. Australia 0.957
4. Ireland 0.956
5. Sweden 0.951
6. Canada 0.950
7. Japan 0.949
8. United States 0.948
9. Switzerland 0.947
10. Netherlands 0.947
11. Finland 0.947
12. Luxembourg 0.945
13. Belgium 0.945
14. Austria 0.944
15. Denmark 0.943
16. France 0.942
17. Italy 0.940
18. United Kingdom 0.940
19. Spain 0.938
20. New Zealand 0.936
21. Germany 0.932
22. Hong Kong 0.927
23. Israel 0.927
24. Greece 0.921
25. Singapore 0.916
26. South Korea 0.912
27. Slovenia 0.910
28. Portugal 0.904
29. Cyprus 0.903
30. Czech Republic 0.885

There is as well this petition about the Congo forest (discovered on PunkPrincess website). Timber industry overthere is just looting the forest, local population being just powerless to stop such tragedy,… even during peace situations, Congo bleeds.

If appropriate actions are not taken, the second largest forest in the world might just become this tiny natural reserve for tourists (like Costa Rica).

On the other hand, not so long time ago, Europe was just a mix of swamps and forests. Now it is just about grassland and cities - this transition allowed the continent to economically develop itself. Why therefore such deforestation should not “happen” in Africa ?

Because as spoilt Europeans / Americans, we believe we still have some moral rights on our former colonies, and believe bio-diversity is more important than economy and the local population ? Or because this is just going haywire, without any planification behind, both for the local population and the local environment ? Timber industry can be sustainable and profitable.

With the level of technology we have reached now in the 21st century, economic development (from a mass industrial point of view, not the souvenirs one for tourists) can be sustainable and environmentally friendly. The main stakeholders of the country should be aware of such statement, and that’s maybe the most important mission - even within the specificity of Africa.

If you want further details about the timber situation in Congo, just go to the Greenpeace official website, where you could watch nice videos and maybe take appropriate actions (by signing a petition or making donations).