We all know why it is important to preserve the integrity of our planet. Without clean water and air, fertile soil and a richness of all kinds of life -- plant and animal -- the Earth as we know it will stop thriving and producing. If we are to encourage strong economies and greater health and social welfare, we must recognize the environment as essential to our long-term existence.

For CARE, this means a "people-centered" approach to environmental protection. Moreover, in the developing world it means working with farmers whose lives are closely tied to the cycles of the natural world. While CARE's agriculture and natural resources management projects are concerned with problems such as poor soil quality, soil erosion, deforestation, pesticide contamination and unreliable rainfall, our responses to these problems are designed to significantly improve the living conditions of poor farm families.

And because strong sustained agricultural production requires maintaining and protecting the soil, water, forest and wildlife, farmers are more likely to conserve the environment - building not only sustainability for the environment but also for their own livelihoods far into the future.

In addition, CARE works with farmers who live in or near designated national parks to help them meet short- and long-term needs for food and income with ecologically sound farming techniques. Through environmental education and training, CARE teaches children and adults that a healthy environment helps create a healthy life.

CARE operates environmental projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America. In 2000, CARE's tree planting and other activities protected 708,947 acres, while 560,361 acres were protected by soil and water conservation activities.

Every day, CARE works with communities to achieve lasting victories over poverty. Click here to read one of our solutions stories.