In a bold move for environmental preservation, Swedish billionaire and activist Johan Eliasch purchased 400,000 acres (approximately 1,600 square kilometers) of Amazon rainforest in Brazil in 2005.
Unlike typical land acquisitions aimed at development or resource extraction, Eliasch’s sole intention was conservation. By halting logging operations and preventing deforestation on this vast tract of land, he aimed to protect the rich biodiversity and crucial carbon sinks of the Amazon.
Eliasch’s commitment to environmental causes extends beyond this purchase. He founded the Rainforest Trust, an international NGO dedicated to protecting threatened tropical rainforests, which has safeguarded millions of acres globally.
dditionally, he co-leads Cool Earth, a nonprofit that supports indigenous communities in rainforest regions, empowering them to combat deforestation. As president of the International Ski Federation, Eliasch has also launched initiatives to offset carbon emissions from winter sports events by investing in rainforest conservation projects.
Source: Wikipedia
