Banking Amazon Destruction: BNDES

Brazil’s national bank, or Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social (BNDES), has grown dramatically in recent years, with its loans far exceeding that of the World Bank. With this scope of investment and the responsibility attached to spending immense amounts of public funds, BNDES should demonstrate a high level of accountability, safeguards, and transparency. BNDES, however, trails in the industry and its track record falls short.More »

International Activists Block Ilisu Dam Construction Site in Turkey

Kayapó indigenous leaders from Brazilian Amazon join in solidarity to protest Mega Dams

May 21, 2013 | Press Release

Hasankeyf, Turkey – Today representatives of dam-affected communities and organizations from South America, the Middle East, Europe, the US and Africa, including Brazilian indigenous leaders accompanied by Amazon Watch, blocked the entrance to the construction site of the Ilisu dam in southeast Turkey demanding an end to controversial development that would sink an ancient city dating back to the Bronze Age. More »

International Rivers Conference Exposes Global Impact of Dam Industry

May 18, 2013 | Press Release

Istanbul, Turkey – Dam-affected communities and international conservation organizations from South America, the Middle East, Europe, the US and Africa come together today at the International Rivers Conference in Istanbul, Turkey, to debunk the myth of mega-dams as "clean" energy.More »

Amazon Be Dammed: Deforestation Undermines Future Viability of Brazil’s Hydropower Projects

Although Brazil’s energy-hungry economic boom has driven the nation to tap the Amazon’s vast hydroelectric potential, the resulting deforestation accompanying its dam projects has reduced the available waterpower

May 16, 2013 | Scientific American

A new study of the Belo Monte Dam, one of the world's largest hydropower energy complexes currently under construction on the Xingu River in the eastern region of the basin, found that large-scale deforestation in the Amazon poses a significant threat to a dam's energy-generating potential.More »

Xingu: The Belo Monte Battle Continues

May 14, 2013 | Blog Post

"As we entered peacefully, we decided to leave peacefully. We show that we are not bandits and that we respect the court's decision. We hope that our attitude shows us to be open to a dialogue."More »

Belo Monte Contractors Raise Price Tag of Controversial Amazon Dam

May 14, 2013 | Folha de São Paulo

Brasilia, Brazil – The daily difficulties faced in the construction of the Belo Monte hydroelectric dam in the state of Pará have expanded beyond the confines of its construction site and reached the negotiating table of the companies in charge of building it.More »

Brazil Indians Occupy Belo Monte Dam Site

Lucy Jordan

May 7, 2013 | The Rio Times

Brasilia, Brazil – The federal government said Monday it would not negotiate with indigenous groups which on Tuesday entered their sixth day of occupying the controversial Belo Monte dam construction site.More »

Amazon Indians Occupy Controversial Dam to Demand a Say

Indians from different river basins unite to oppose dams

May 3, 2013 | Reuters

Brasilia, Brazil – Amazon Indians on Friday refused to end their occupation of a building site that has partially paralyzed work on the world's third largest hydroelectric dam for two days.More »

A United Cry Against Dams in the Amazon

May 3, 2013 | Blog Post

Yesterday Brazil and the world witnessed a historic moment of unity and struggle for the Amazon and its people. Some 200 indigenous peoples, riverine communities and fishermen continue to stop work on the Belo Monte dam.More »

Indigenous Peoples Launch New Occupation on Belo Monte Dam Site

Tribes from Xingu and Tapajós rivers unite to protest violations of rights to prior consultations in construction of Amazon dams

May 2, 2013 | Press Release

Altamira, Brazil – Some 200 indigenous people affected by the construction of large hydroelectric dams in the Amazon launched an occupation today on one of the main construction sites of the Belo Monte dam complex on the Xingu River in the Brazilian Amazon.More »

Brazilians Denounce Dirty Belo Monte-Euro Connections

May 1, 2013 | Blog Post

Last week two key leaders in the ongoing struggle against Belo Monte denounced European corporate backing of the dam before Green Party members of the European Parliament in Brussels.More »