Charlie Hamilton James: Conservation is a bourgeois concept

Charlie Hamilton James has spent years in the Amazon trying to understand its wildlife and people so that he could better understand the problems the region faces. The more he understood, the more complex the issues became. But his eventual realization was so simple that even a business executive could understand it. From GreenBiz 19.

[@theendoftheworldconversati4826]

I use Charlie's BBC documentary in my college class on "anthropology & contemporary human problems" as a case study. This GreenBiz talk distills the lessons he presents across all the "I Bought a Rainforest" episodes into one 15-minute master class. As one commenter (abknowzer) makes clear, the problem is rooted in a capitalistic system. But, as Charlie points out, any solution needs to be rooted in (re)humanizing and integrating those we in bourgeois societies have demonized in the process of trying to save wildlife, or biodiversity, or the planet.

[@Henry30065]

I have only just come across this amazing video. I found your comments fascinating and so very true. I have travelled all over the world and it has always surprised me that people living comfortable and lucrative lives in countries such as the U.K., America, rest of Europe, etc., are so ready to criticise the very poorest people who do some of the illegal logging, poaching, etc. I totally agree with you that the people at the sharp end are often only doing it to keep their families fed. For example, at its most simplistic, the real people responsible for the slaughter of rhinos and elephants live in wealthy countries like China and the people responsible for the large scale logging in the rain forests are, ultimately, the western consumers of exotic hardwoods. Having said that, I certainly have no idea of how to solve the problem. However, if people like you continue to focus the wealthy western countries on the problem, maybe, just maybe we shall be able to come up with a solution- hopefully, before it’s too late. Finally, I really enjoy your photography and videos - keep up the good work Charlie. Alun

[@paulrichards3928]

Outstanding presentation. It's refreshing to see and hear such a grounded worldview. Thank you. Charlie. I trust the emergence of better values, and this touches a sweet spot for me.

[@abknowzer]

Great. Fantastic thing to do. It's a pity that the frame is 'I don't like people' or even 'caring for fellow human beings'. Whatever your morals - being kinder, making the world a better place etc. - it is the financial capitalist system that is the frame. Class is important of course. But what is being done to the environment is symptomatic of the dominant financial system. That must change or we all perish.