Oil and mineral production helps forest conservation, according to new report

Producing oil and minerals actually helps some countries protect most of their forests and the inhabiting biodiversity, according to a new report. The report, published by leading forest research centre the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), claims that high incomes from oil and minerals can relieve pressure on forests in several ways. These include the strengthening of exporters' national currencies through revenues, which makes it less attractive to invest in activities associated with forest destruction such as farming in forested areas and logging.