That's the stance taken by some wealthy Americans like Douglas Tompkins. Tompkins has been buying lands in South American countries such as Chile and Argentina in an attempt to help preserve the environment. This is obviously a very unique way to try to help solve a global problem. There aren't that many people out there that can afford to do something like this. So far, Tompkins owns an amount of South American land roughly the same size as Rhohde Island.

While the plan seems to be a valiant effort to prevent mass deforestation in these areas, he definitely has his opponents. While he claims that he will turn the land over the government once the threats have gone away, many don't believe that he will actually vanquish control. Others fear the fact that he his taking control of some major natural resources.

I suppose I don't have any immediate concerns over this. On the surface, he does appear to be attempting to do good. I wouldn't mind owning a state-sized piece of pristine, untouched land. I think that would make for some really great vacations.