Michelle of the Amazon

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My ears perked up as soon as I heard that Michelle Kosinski would be reporting from the Amazon on this morning's Today. Might we be treated to another shot of the comely correspondent in a canoe?

Alas, no.

But that doesn't mean the segment was without its diversions. It told the tale of a Brazilian environmentalist in Manaus, on the edge of the Amazon. Ann Curry, long back from her Green Week exploits at the South Pole, introduced the story.

View video here.

ANN CURRY: It's been a year for taking a closer look at our fragile environment and to learn what we can do to protect the planet. One man is doing his part in what is often called [twice in this segment alone!] "the lungs of the planet", the Amazon. And as he works to protect the Amazon, he found a way to help the poor children of his community.

Kosinski told the story of Rubens Gomes, an environmentalist who runs a school teaching young people in the area to craft guitars and violins from local wood. My favorite line:

"They use only left-over wood from lumber companies certified by environmental groups as sustainable."

Fine. But was the wood organically grown and are the by-products recycled?

Another highlight: approving comments from enlightened ladies back in the US, such as Susan Berresford of the Ford Foundation [pictured here], which supports the school, and Tensie Whelan of the Rainforest Alliance.

Very nice. But would it have killed Today to have shown Michelle in a dugout out on the river?

Note: Speaking of environmentalism, it looks like this story was itself recycled. Note the dateline on Kosinski's report at MSNBC: May 29, 2007.