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The tropical Andes region, which contains one sixth of all plant life in less than one percent of the world’s land area, is the richest and most diverse region on Earth. Its snowcapped peaks, deep canyons, and vast forests are home to an amazing diversity of microhabitats and species. Unfortunately, the FTA’s Investment Chapter allows foreign investors to challenge health and environmental regulations for cash compensation if they impede their ability to do business, which will put a big chill on efforts to protect this vital region. Incredibly, the Bush administration has also rejected the demands of Andean countries for protections for indigenous peoples. For example, the Peru-U.S. agreement does not comport with the requirements of the Convention on Biological Diversity, which protects the rights of indigenous communities to their traditional knowledge in areas such as medicines and seeds. Find out how you can help in the fight for fair trade that protects the environment! |