The Rainforests and People of Indonesia
Photograph the lush rainforests of Indonesia which are quickly being diminished through conversion to palm plantations and illegal logging but also document the poverty of the people who live off the land.
My idea would be to travel to Indonesia and explore the lush tropical rainforests, document the beauty and diversity they contain, highlight the destruction of vast tracks of land to make way for profitable palm plantations but at the same time connect with the locals who are just trying to scratch out a better living for themselves and their families. There is much talk about preserving rainforests but I think we also need to look at the impoverished people and bring to light their plight and what we can do to help families and communities. So my ultimate goal would be twofold: First to photograph the beauty of the tropical rainforests, the diversity (both plant and animal) and the destruction for profitable palm plantations and second to document the people of the region, their lives, their dreams and finally bring the two together to bring awareness to awareness to not only the plight of the rainforests but the people who live there as well. I don't have the answers to a complex environmental and social issue but I hope that through this idea, through photographs, that people will start to think about what is going on and be called to action. I would hope that at the end people would ask the question of how to save the biodiversity and alleviate poverty in Indonesia.
17 Comments
The trofical rainforests is almost disappeared in Indonesia. We need people to be aware of it. I voted for you.
The trick here is how to provide a livelihood for the inhabitants of the rain forest without destroying the very forest they depend on for food and shelter. Your dream is indeed an admirable one and extremely important in terms of reducing the impact of world climate change.
It seems some great ideas are getting lost from lack of votes so if you'll vote for me I will vote for you. Thanks for your idea and vote... Jkava888
I like your idea!
I voted for you; will you vote for me? Let's do this and see how it turns out. Let's help each other!
Good luck!
Very cool. Please, check me out too when you've got the time.
I definitely support your idea, funtastic !!!
This is a great Idea! Check mine out too and if you like it...return the vote! Mine is about exposing a fatal conflict taking place in the Congo.
nice project, voted for you.
please have a look at my dream assignment.
good luck!
I vote for you Matt! good luck! Cindy
Totally agree Matt! we support you 100%. Make the Green Indonesia comes true, save the animal too!
I can't wait to see your photos - Wonderful idea & great dream! Best of luck and you have my "PIC" - please check out my dream of furthering peaceful coexistence between Jews and Arabs in the Middle East. Thanks!!
Hi Matt, voted for you, good luck! many great ideas here...but yours hits closest to home :)
Good ideas like yours that are not in the Top 100 are nearly impossible to find. This is unfair as many great ideas are hidden. Those of us in the “Sub-100” should work together to promote the best projects of the Sub-100 so that they can be in the Top 100 and be seen. Please vote for best Sub-100s!
Indo is a brilliant place to photograph. Voting for you -- please return the favor when you have time and vote for my project on violence, land seizures, political upheaval and daily struggles in Zimbabwe.
Hi Matt! Thanks for your vote! I love your work, and know that if you win, you'll do us all proud!!
I like your idea, check out mine and vote for me if you like it. Its about poverty and society in 3rd world countries and how they are controlled, devastated by their governments and western industrialized nations.
I voted for you. May I suggest that you look at some of the MANY fantastic dreams different people have posted here and vote for the ones you like best. If you leave a nice comment, they can link back to your dream by clicking on your name and you might get a vote from them.