It’s all about sound…
Two types of sound – firstly, environmentally sound, creating a scenario where harvesting African blackwood in a sustainable manner becomes a viable livelihood option; and secondly, sound as in music, classical music. African blackwood is like no other material when it comes to making woodwind instruments. The dense, resinous texture creates a superior quality of sound and it’s not prone to splitting or cracking.
And all about being fair…
The ultimate aim of the campaign is FSC-certified woodwind instruments sold with a price premium, a small addition to the cost that will benefit the forest people in Tanzania and help improve their lives.
And the signs are good that the campaign will deliver on this aim – the first harvest of FSC-certified African blackwood in Kikole in December 2009 increased local incomes 400 times over previous harvest.
Of course this may mean that the FSC-certified clarinets or oboes are a little more expensive than non-FSC-certified ones in the shops, but by only a small percentage on the total price.
And buyers of FSC-certified instruments will gain satisfaction in two ways:
1) helping raise incomes for some of the poorest people on earth
2) not contributing to deforestation and environmental degradation.
A small price to pay surely?
© 2009 Copyright, Environment Africa Trust. UK Charity No: 1025443. All rights reserved. All materials on this site are protected by UK and international copyright laws.
Sound & Fair
It’s all about sound…
Two types of sound – firstly, environmentally sound, creating a scenario where harvesting African blackwood in a sustainable manner becomes a viable livelihood option; and secondly, sound as in music, classical music. African blackwood is like no other material when it comes to making woodwind instruments. The dense, resinous texture creates a superior quality of sound and it’s not prone to splitting or cracking.
And all about being fair…
The ultimate aim of the campaign is FSC-certified woodwind instruments sold with a price premium, a small addition to the cost that will benefit the forest people in Tanzania and help improve their lives.
And the signs are good that the campaign will deliver on this aim – the first harvest of FSC-certified African blackwood in Kikole in December 2009 increased local incomes 400 times over previous harvest.
Of course this may mean that the FSC-certified clarinets or oboes are a little more expensive than non-FSC-certified ones in the shops, but by only a small percentage on the total price.
And buyers of FSC-certified instruments will gain satisfaction in two ways:
1) helping raise incomes for some of the poorest people on earth
2) not contributing to deforestation and environmental degradation.
A small price to pay surely?
© 2009 Copyright, Environment Africa Trust. UK Charity No: 1025443. All rights reserved. All materials on this site are protected by UK and international copyright laws.