SUSTAINABLE GUARANA

 

One of our main targets is to transfer deforested land, that still boarders intact rainforest, into secondary rainforest by a new and sustainable way of planting Guarana. In this scenario ARFI provides land and Guarana seedlings for an all organic and fair trade production to local farmers.

As a creeper - Guarana grows in our new designed cultivation upwards a tree - in a eco-friendly symbiosis. Guarana can only be harvested by hand and the world market literally screams  for the natural and healthy energy seed, because it only grows in the Amazon- and the Atlantic Rainforest. Since the demand is so big, the prices for Guarana are very high and herewith guarantee a very good income for local farmers.

After the first year of cultivating Guarana, the plant already creates 20% of the seeds, but it takes seven years to reach 100% of the crop. The local farmers then will harvest for only seven more years. 14 years after putting the seedlings in the soil,  we will transfer the whole piece of land into a „RPPN“(natural reserve). Wind will spread seeds and some decades later we created a new area of secondary rainforest. This scenario can be repeated various times in order to restore rainforest for our future generations, while local families can still enjoy a good income. By only preserving rainforest we eliminate the chance for local people to survive in their habitat. Normally rainforest is chopped down to create new areas of cultivation – we change this picture and created sustainable Guarana cultivations in order to create more rainforest – think!

Guarana (paullinia cupana) is a creeping shrub and part of the Sapindaceae family, native to the Amazon and Brazils Atlantic Rainforest. The plant can grow up to 12 meters long, nestled around the massive trees of the equatorial rainforest, which provide nutrition as well as stimuli.

The secret of Guarana is it’s high caffeine content, which is the highest naturally occurring caffeine content in the world. But unlike traditional coffee bean caffeine, it is free of any adverse effects and longer lasting (4-6 hours) and not aggressive towards our system. Guarana also contains ether oils and saponines. For the indigenous of south America, Guarana used to be as highly valued as Gold was by the Europeans. Today Guarana is also known as “Brazils Ginseng” or „Elixir of Youth“.

Guaraná is reputed to be a stimulant and increase mental alertness, fight fatigue, and increase stamina and physical endurance.

In addition to its stimulant properties, guarana is also a popular ingredient in herbal weight loss pills. Evidence indicates that guarana may suppress appetite and increase fat-burning. After all Guarana is Brazil’s hangover cure No. 1!

Atlantic Rainforest

The Atlantic Rainforest has one of the most tragic stories in terms of deforestation: 93 percent of the original area has been cut down. This natural ecosystem, including its unique and vast endemic organisms, is close to being completely eliminated. With your help, we can try to battle this sad reality.

Even with this extreme reduction, the Atlantic Rainforest still holds enormous biological diversity – for example, 20,000 different species of trees – much of it endemic to the region.

Near our rainforest basecamp, an analysis of just a hectare of land found: 270 types of mammals (90 endemic), 372 amphibian species (260 endemic), 197 reptiles (60 endemic), 849 bird species (188 endemic), 2120 butterflies (948 endemic), and 456 different tree species – easily a world record.

The Mission of ARFI

SuddenRush is committed to focusing on developing products that have a positive effect on social and ecological conditions. We feel responsible to live the change that we want to see on this planet and therefore spearhead the SuddenRush Guarana project with the primary goal of protecting the Atlantic Rainforest. Part of the profits generated through the sale of SuddenRush Guarana's natural and organic energy shots go directly towards the protection and preservation of the Atlantic Rainforest in the south of Bahia in Brazil. Guarana only grows in the South American Rainforest and will only do so in healthy surroundings. At least 10 percent of all profits of SuddenRush, therefore, go to the Brazilian NGO “Atlantic Rainforest Institution” or simply ARFI.

The Atlantic Rainforest Institution is a non-governmental organization with an official entry in the commercial register. ARFI was founded on the 5th of June, 2005 in Illheus, Brazil. The first goal is the purchase of 700,000 square meters of intact rainforest land plots in the south of Bahia. 99 percent of the area will remain a nature reserve; with your help, the 7,000 m2 of the remaining one percent will be the location of a nature clinic.

In this clinic veterinarians from across the globe will treat the endemic Golden Lion Tamarin and the Maned Sloth, both close to extinction. In the planned visitors center of the Nature Clinic, children and youths will learn about species diversity and the Atlantic Rainforest. Visitors from across the globe will walk the experience trail, learning to value of the rainforest and its inhabitants. The clinic will serve as a base to start other projects to help the rainforest and diverse organisms that it hosts.

 

Trees help regulate the climate by absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide „CO²“ – the main greenhouse gas. Burning tropical forests contributes 20% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, that is more then all cars, trucks, trains and planes combined!! Saving rainforests is the fastest and most effective way to stabilize global climate change. It is a critical part of the larger solution, and action is required NOW!

The Atlantic Rainforest is the most striking example of a conservation HOTSPOT – 93% of it’s original size were destroyed during the last 500 years - extremely rich in biodiversity and under continued threat!

 

The main goal of the Atlantic Rainforest Institution is to preserve and reforest the truly endangered and species-rich Atlantic Rainforest along Brazils Atlantic coastline. All intact rainforest sponsored is later transferred into a „Reserva Particular de Patrimonio National „RPPN“ (a natural reserve) that guarantees governmental protection for eternity!

 

Even tough heavily deforested, the biome still holds a very high biological diversification with a high level of endemism. The Atlantic Rainforest harbors more then 20'000 tree species. In Southern Bahia (where the ARFI headquater is located) there were following counts recorded in only one hectare (size of a football field): 270 species of mammals (90 endemic), 372 amphibious (260 endemic), 197 reptiles (60 endemic), 849 birds (188 endemic), 2120 butterflies (948 endemic) and a biodiversity world record of 456 trees.

 

ARFI is a non-governmental organization with trade register number - 2984 à Folha 0022 do Livro A-14 do Cartório de Títulos e Documentos da Comarca de Ilhéus - Bahia - Brazil. CNPJ - 08.631.232 /0001-50 (Cadastro de Pessoa Juridica). Date of Foundation: 5th of June 2005

 

At the time being we are establishing a REDD+ project that will bring in International scientists in the field of Integrated Farming practises and a team around Prof. Gerry Strobel regarding research on endophytes. See attached document!

 

ARFI collaborates mainly with local NGO’s, biologists, farmers, etc. and is activ on the Costa de Cacau in Southern Bahia, Brazil. Our International ambassadors help raise awarness among young people on the planet. 

 

Obrigado for your support!