Suriname is covered for more than 90% by forests, much of which is still pristine. Its human population is with less than 500,000 one of the lowest in the world, most people living in the capital Paramaribo and small villages in the coastal plain. It is one of the few countries in the world with the potential to save large areas of tropical forests, including its rich biodiversity. It also is a poor country with a per capita income of less than $1,000/month. The pressure to use the rich natural resources as soon as possible is enormous. This pressure has caused an increase in human activities in many fields, like logging, gold mining, aquaculture, bush meat trade, etc. Many of these activities are (potentially) detrimental to the environment. Unfortunately, people are often not aware of their negative impact on the environment. Also politicians know little about the environment and the effect(s) their decisions may have in the long run. Environmental issues are hardly included in the curricula of primary, secondary and high schools and are lacking from most of the higher education too. So, the question is how to increase environmental awareness? How to reach as many people as possible?
In almost every house in the coastal zone and in many villages in rural areas, a television is present. People like to watch television documentaries and movies. People like to see situations they recognize. So, a good way to reach as many people as possible with a medium that has much influence, is to make a television program showing the environmental issues, problems, activities, possibilities that are going on or exist in their own backyard. There have been environmental programs and documentaries showing the problems in other parts of the world, and although the same problems might apply here, it will not be easy for most people to recognize it. By presenting a weekly environmental television program about the environment in Suriname, people will become more aware of the environmental problems, solutions and possibilities in their direct surroundings and the impact of their activities.