According to a new documentary only 1% of national budget of Colombia is spent on sustaining the environment.
Endemic Studios, an animation production company based in Arizona, have released a short documentary entitled ‘1%’. The company consists of biologists, ecologists and Colombian film makers. The intention was to raise awareness of the Colombian government’s lack of investment into one of the world’s most bio-diverse ecosystems.
The scientists used several results of the 2013 study published by the Comptroller General called ‘Analysis of the Performance of Nation’s General Investment Budget between 2010- 2013.’
The report revealed that Colombia has 1500 native plant species, 330 amphibians not fond anywhere else in the world and 314 different ecosystems. This coincides with the fact that Colombia is recognized as the nation with the third largest diversity of mammals, reptiles and plants.
According to the documentary, only 1% of the national budget is being spent on sustaining the environment whereas as 65% is being spent on the military.
“Although we (Colombia) have an abundance of natural wealth, the government spends very little money on its conservation. Given the limited amount of information that is released regarding this subject we used social media to draw people’s attention to the matter and to sensitize decision makers. We all need to face this reality because eventually we will rely on these resources,” said biologist Alejandro Calderon.
Sources
- Colombia invierte solo 1% de su dinero en cuidar las especies nativas (El Espectador)
- 1% (Endemic Studios)
- Comentarios al Proyecto de Presupuesto General de la Nación (Contraloría General de la República)
