Vanuatu is battling an invasive vine known as big lif that smothers native vegetation and drives deforestation. Local communities in Kole village are fighting back by clearing the weed and replanting native fruit trees to restore the ecosystem. This restoration effort is funded through the Loru Forest Carbon Project. By generating and selling carbon credits, the village secures the financial resources needed for long term forest management and community development.
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Interesting case of a carbon project actually funding invasive species management. Most nature based solutions just focus on avoiding deforestation, but this is active restoration. Worth a look for anyone tracking how community led credits work in the Pacific.
The real question here is the additionality. If the village was already protecting the Loru area since 1993, the credits must be tied specifically to the removal of the big lif and the new planting to be valid under strict standards.
True, but the article says the vine made it a losing battle until the funding arrived. If the carbon money is the only reason they can afford the full time labor to clear it, that is a clear additionality argument.
The link between WWII military history and current ecological collapse is wild. It shows how a temporary tactical advantage like camouflage can become a permanent environmental liability.
