We need your help to stop biotech tree company ArborGen's plans to develop genetically engineered eucalyptus tree plantations
We at GJEP are relentlessly dogging
genetically engineered
tree company ArborGen to stop them from selling dangerous and destructive GE eucalyptus trees. We couldn't do this critical work without the support of people like you.
ArborGen wants to see industrial plantations of GE eucalyptus trees from Florida to Texas; and even down in Brazil. But they don't yet have government approval, and we aim to ensure those GE
trees are never planted.
Since 2000, when we launched the first campaign against GE trees, we have successfully stopped all commercial releases of GE trees anywhere in the world
(with the exception of China).
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Eucalyptus plantations in Brazil (like this one) are called "Green Deserts" because nothing will grow in them. Photo: Petermann
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If ArborGen wins USDA approval to commercially sell billions of GE eucalyptus trees for plantations across the US South, it will be devastating.
These GE trees are invasive, flammable, water sucking and would lead to the clearcutting of millions of acres of native forest to make room for the new GE tree plantations.
ArborGen, of course, insists their GE eucalyptus trees will have no negative effects.
But just last December they were found guilty of fraud and deceit.
How can anyone, including the USDA, believe a word they say?
Eucalyptus trees are already the number one plantation tree globally, growing in vast plantations in tropical and subtropical countries like Brazil where their negative impacts are thoroughly documented.
But now ArborGen has engineered freeze tolerant eucalyptus trees that can grow in the Southern US, where it is too cold for other eucalyptus trees.
But beyond just the US, ArborGen wants to sell GE eucalyptus trees for plantations in Brazil, a move that would worsen an already terrible situation.
We are working hard with allies around the world to stop ArborGen's disastrous GE tree plans before it is too late. Help us make sure these trees are never planted.
Please click here to send a donation today.
Thank you so much for helping make a real difference for forests and communities around the US, Brazil and all over the world. Thank you for helping stop GE trees.
Best wishes,
Anne E Petermann
Executive Director
P.S. Here are a few more details on the documented impacts of eucalyptus plantations:
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loss of native forests, and
displacement of Indigenous Peoples and small farmers for establishment of plantations of these non-native trees that cannot be used by local peoples, wildlife or other biodiversity [eucalyptus are native only to Australia].
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depletion of ground and surface water leading to water shortages and the exacerbation of droughts;
* inundation with repeated applications of
toxic fertilizers and herbicides that contaminate ground water and nearby land;
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firestorms: especially in areas suffering from drought, eucalyptus trees are known to be explosively flammable when they catch fire.
* eucalyptus trees are already documented as, or suspected to be,
invasive in Florida, California and Hawaii.
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