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The Guardian
2 days ago
- General
- The Guardian
One man, thousands of trees and heaps of determination: how regreening Guatemala transformed a village
Armando López Pocol is showing off some of the thousands of trees he has planted in Pachaj, his village in the highlands of western Guatemala, when he suddenly halts his white pickup truck. Alongside an American volunteer, Lyndon Hauge, he gazes out over a charred field. Clouds of smoke are still billowing from the ground. As he walks through the ash-covered field, his optimistic speech turns to sadness and he pauses in silence to take in the barren landscape. Before the fire, this 2-hectare (5-acre) plot of land in the mountains of Cantel was home to 2,000 trees, all planted through Pocol's reforestation project. Over a quarter of a century, he and his small team of volunteers and community members have planted thousands of trees, regenerating the landscape of Guatemala's highlands and mitigating the impacts of the climate crisis, while also generating revenue for local communities. Pocol initiated the Chico Mendes Reforestation Project in Pachaj – located 2,400 metres (7,900ft) above sea level and about 6 miles (10km) from the town of Quetzaltenango, known as Xela – in 1999. At that time, the region had suffered extensive deforestation over several decades. The organisation was named after the Brazilian environmentalist Chico Mendes, who fought to preserve the rainforest and for Indigenous rights until he was murdered by a cattle rancher in 1988. 'The struggles he went through in Brazil are similar to the ones we go through in Guatemala,' Pocol says. 'From the 1960s to the 1990s, there was a lot of deforestation in Cantel, as the wood was used extensively for building houses and as firewood for families,' he says. 'I started Chico Mendes to stop the deforestation, as I was worried about climate change and environmental problems in Guatemala, with mining companies destroying the community forests of Indigenous people.' He says deforestation is now largely caused by fires during the dry season, and attributes the latest one – the third in his fields so far this year – to an arson attack. 'We're losing many tree plantations,' he says, adding that the region lost more than 100,000 trees to fires in 2023 alone. 'What keeps my spirit alive are the workers and volunteers showing their support and not giving up.' Since he embarked on his tree-planting mission, Pocol has become resigned to the fact that he cannot stop fires. 'We just don't have enough staff,' he admits. 'It's expensive to have people out here watching all this land.' While he believes some of the fires are due to foul play, he says they have tried to reduce the number by creating fire corridors in the forests. Pocol says the organisation, using land owned by the local municipality, has planted between 5,000 and 20,000 trees every year since 1998. Over the last 10 years, this figure has risen to an annual average of 20,000 to 25,000, and it is anticipated that the figure will exceed 30,000 this year. The organisation plants eight different types of trees, though he says he has found the most success with cypress and pine, which tend to flourish in the cooler climates found at higher altitudes. 'We plant pine trees because the earth here is very hot and we don't have many other types of trees that live through the seasons,' he says, standing on a site where 1,000 pines and cypresses were planted about 10 years ago. Pocol says environmentalists recommended a greater variety of trees, but adds: 'They started to see that with the terrain and the dirt here, it just doesn't work.' Experts indicate that the primary drivers of deforestation in the western highlands are logging for firewood and charcoal, as well as wildfires caused by campfires, slash-and-burn farming techniques, and conflicts between communities. Pocol is also concerned about mining companies seeking to extract minerals and is constantly stressed about his organisation's financial situation. The Guatemalan government operates reforestation projects through Probosque, a state programme that supports reforestation and restoration by offering incentives for landowners to plant trees. While experts say that government projects have generally been effective, funding remains limited. 'There are many organisations and NGOs that receive support from these programmes, but it's not enough. We need more,' says Dr René Zamora-Cristales, outgoing director of the Latin American restoration initiative 20x20 at the World Resources Institute and an associate professor at the Oregon State University college of forestry. Zamora-Cristales says many environmental organisations struggle to meet the necessary regulations to access the programme, such as the requirement for a certain number of trees for each hectare. 'You need to follow technical guidelines, and sometimes communities don't want to follow them.' Sign up to Global Dispatch Get a different world view with a roundup of the best news, features and pictures, curated by our global development team after newsletter promotion Public subsidies may be available for environmental initiatives, but Pocol says his organisation has not received any money. 'We don't receive funds from the government as we are against mining projects and environmental injustices in Guatemala, and we know that all the funds the government manages come from transnational companies.' The Guatemalan government did not respond to requests for comment. Without a regular income, the Chico Mendes project depends on donations and a 'volunteering fee' (equivalent to about £15 a day), which covers a homestay and three meals. Volunteers gather seeds, source decomposed leaves, fill bags with soil, and plant trees. Donations and the volunteering fee are crucial for Chico Mendes, as Pocol sees his initiative as much more than a reforestation project. The organisation also supports the community through ecotourism, with funds circulating through the local economy via homestays and treks, as well as volunteers spending money in the village. Chico Mendes facilitates Spanish lessons with 25 teachers from the local community and offers homestays with 30 families. 'All the teachers through Chico Mendes are Indigenous women,' says Pocol. 'We are creating opportunities for the community.' New revenue streams are vital for local communities, as the region has increasingly been affected by the climate crisis. The rainy season in Guatemala usually lasts from May to October, but the Cantel area has experienced reduced rainfall in recent years. 'Some years, it only rains in two months,' says Pocol. 'There wasn't any rain from last May through to July last year. The corn was dying, and that has led to a radical increase in crop prices.' Dr Daniel Ariano, biodiversity coordinator at the University of the Valley of Guatemala's centre for environmental studies and biodiversity, says projects such as Chico Mendes encourage mitigation and adaptation to climate risks. He notes that, in addition to drought, extreme weather events such as heavy rain also heighten the threat of landslides. 'This kind of project is extremely important, especially to promote the reforestation and restoration of ecosystems,' Ariano says. 'We need to develop resilient communities in the highlands.' Zamora-Cristales praises Pocol's work and says Guatemala needs more people like him. 'Deforestation has always been an issue, but different efforts, such as the one from Armando, have reduced the overall deforestation in the country. We certainly need more local leaders committed to improving the livelihoods of local communities by restoring nature,' he says. Pocol, who works on his project every day without a break, including weekends, and tops up his income in the evenings as an Uber driver, admits he is exhausted. 'I wake up in the night and wonder what the future is going to be for the project as there's been a lot of difficult times. But I've never given up, and it always lifts my spirits when volunteers come,' Pocol says. 'We all just want a green planet, so that all future children can have a clean environment, clean water, pure oxygen and food.'
Forbes
31-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The World's Best Ultra-Aged Rum, According To The SF World Spirit Competition
The Ultra-Aged Rum Finalists From The 2025 SFWSC Eight rums are finalists, five for the World's Best Aged Rum 5 Years & Older, and three for World's Best Overproof Rum at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The SFWSC is one of the world's most prestigious spirit judging events, and both consumers and the beverage industry closely follow its results. Below are brief backgrounds and tasting notes for the finalists. Cartavio XO is a premium rum from Peru, crafted by Destilerías Unidas. It's a blend of rums aged up to 18 years, matured in a solera system using American, French, and Slovenian oak casks. It reflects Peru's balanced, elegant rum style, which is less sweet than its counterparts in South and Central America, with a greater influence from its dry Andean terroir. The rum is refined and smooth on the palate, featuring aromas of dried fig, orange zest, vanilla, and old leather. It's soft and full-bodied on the palate, showcasing roasted nuts, baking spices, cocoa powder, and caramel with a subtle tannic dryness. The finish is long and layered, with lingering notes of cedar, caramel, and dark chocolate. Ron Zacapa 23 is a renowned Guatemalan rum crafted from virgin sugarcane syrup, aged in a solera system for up to 23 years in ex-bourbon, sherry, and Pedro Ximénez casks. Aged at an altitude of over 7,500 feet in the highlands of Quetzaltenango, it is known for its sweet, velvety character. The rum is aromatic and lush on the nose, featuring caramelized banana, raisin, vanilla, baking spice, and brown sugar. It's silky and sweet on the palate, showcasing notes of molasses, toffee, dried fruit, cinnamon, and a hint of cherry liqueur. The finish is long and semi-sweet, with lingering notes of vanilla and toasted oak. This expression blends rums from Barbados, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Guyana, and Trinidad, aged up to 15 years. It's a celebration of Caribbean and South American rum terroirs, combining pot and column still influences. The rum is complex and layered on the nose, featuring molasses, ripe plantain, vanilla, orange zest, and cocoa nibs. It's dry and fruity, showcasing tropical fruit, roasted nuts, allspice, brown sugar, and burnt caramel. The finish is medium in length, with lingering notes of fruit, spices, and seasoned wood. Elegant tray with two glasses of rum, cuban cigars, chocolate and coffee beans. The tray is adorned with tobacco leaves. This XO expression is a blend of rums aged in Barbados and finished in French cognac casks at Maison Ferrand. Initially crafted to celebrate Alexandre Gabriel's 20th anniversary as master blender, it represents the classic Planteray style of tropical richness and French refinement. The rum is rich and aromatic, with notes of ripe banana, coconut, tobacco leaf, vanilla, and a hint of spice cake. It's smooth and robust on the palate, expressing notes of dried fruit, crème brûlée, nutmeg, toasted almond, and a hint of fresh grape must. The finish is long and elegant, with lingering tropical fruit, soft baking spices, and seasoned oak. Puerto Rico's oldest rum brand, Ron del Barrilito 3 Stars, is a solera-style rum aged 6 to 10 years in ex-Oloroso sherry barrels. Unlike many rums from the region, it is unsweetened, showcasing a drier, more structured profile. The rum is fruity and dry on the nose, featuring toasted walnut, dried apricot, cinnamon and clove spice, seasoned oak, and Sherry aromas. It's smooth and complex on the palate, showcasing candied orange zest, roasted nuts, seasoned oak, dried fruit, and cocoa powder. The finish is long and layered, with lingering notes of caramelized citrus, nutmeg, and seasoned wood. Worthy Park Overproof is a 100% pot-still Jamaican rum. It's made from a combination of molasses and cane juice distillates. Aged for several years in ex-bourbon barrels, this is an ester-rich expression of traditional Jamaican rum, featuring bold tropical and grassy character. The rum is intense and funky, with notes of green banana, overripe pineapple, olive brine, and pronounced aromas of molasses and pepper. It's robust and very flavorful on the palate, with an oily texture and a notable mouth weight, showcasing classic Jamaican funk flavors, herbaceous cane juice, charred oak, brown and burnt sugar, and clove. The finish is long and fruity, with lingering notes of spice and herbal funk. Liberty & Plenty Distillery is a North Carolina craft distiller producing Caribbean-style rums under the Cap & Cane Spirits brand. This Overproof Rum blends high-ester molasses-based rum and lighter distillates. It's intended for cocktail applications, particularly tropical and classic rum punches. The nose is fresh and vibrant, featuring notes of sugarcane, lemon peel, and vanilla, with subtle earthy and funky undertones. It's smooth and remarkably well-balanced for an overproof rum, showcasing toasted coconut, light esters, citrus, and slight spice notes. The finish is long and slightly peppery, with lingering notes of herbaceous cane, dried fruits, and seasoned wood. O.F.T.D. is a Royal Navy-style rum developed by Planteray. According to the company, 'Alexandre Gabriel, our award-winning cellar master, scoured rum-joints around the world to find six grizzled old salts and together, they came up with this blend. The rum, sourced from Guyana, Jamaica, and Barbados, captures the intensity and richness of classic navy-strength rums. The rum is robust and aromatic, featuring molasses, coffee bean, ripe banana, burnt orange, and clove. It's smooth and syrupy on the palate, showcasing dark sugar, black licorice, charred oak, baking spice, and a pronounced note of tropical funk. The finish is long and flavorful, with lingering notes of dark fruit, anise, and espresso. These rums are flavorful and intense, presenting a broad array of intense flavors and textures. They can be used to craft potent cocktails and are also outstanding sipping rums. They offer a diverse range of aroma and flavor profiles. If you're a rum enthusiast, these rums are well worth exploring.
