This April and May, the biggest financial backers of corporations that induce climate change and disregard rights will convene for their Annual General Meetings. We hope to push them to vote yes on important climate and Indigenous rights resolutions.
"We will all be affected by climate change." The truth is that some will face the impacts of this process much more than others. And it is women and girls who are the most vulnerable, with Black and Indigenous women being even more exposed.
This International Women’s Day 2023, we celebrated Indigenous women as life-givers, wisdom keepers, and leaders while denouncing violence against women and Mother Earth.
Across the Amazon Basin, women are organizing in defense of life, rights, and territories, and are a critical part of the front lines movement resisting increasing threats such as mining.
Belo Sun's executives have repeatedly and publicly downplayed the social, environmental, and legal risks of the Volta Grande Project, thereby heightening risks for current and potential investors.
The Amazon rainforest, its defenders, and our global climate are in a state of emergency. It is critical that we work together to amplify the boldest calls and most ambitious commitments to protect 80 percent of the Amazon by 2025 and avert further climate chaos. We can do it if we take urgent action now!
This risk assessment describes the political, social, financial, environmental, and legal risks associated with investing in Petroperú. It also compiles the perspective of some communities that could be affected by the threat of oil operations by Petroperú, in particular, the Achuar People of the Pastaza River and the Autonomous Territorial...
Is it prudent to invest in what will undeniably become a new front of social conflict and human rights violations in the north of the country, this time with Amazonian Indigenous people?
“The Shuar Arutam People have already decided and have declared forcefully that we do not want mining or consultation in our territory.”
Los Angeles Times | “If we want to protect our climate, if we want to stop the drought, stop the further climate chaos that we’re in, whether it’s fires or floods or droughts, we need to end our addiction to Amazon crude.”
The shocking images of death and destruction of the Yanomami people and their lands that recently swept the world reestablish a tragedy foretold.
“Gratitude is so much more than a polite thank you. It is the thread that connects us in a deep relationship. Gratitude and reciprocity are the currency for a giving economy or regenerative economy.”
We count on the positive energy and mobilization of our supporters so that, together with our partners on the ground in Canada and our allies in the new Brazilian government, we can evaluate and expose the climatic risks of destroying an ecosystem as critical as that of the Volta Grande do Xingu, still threatened by Canadian mining company Belo...
Over the last few weeks, Peru has been going through an unprecedented political and social conflict that has already resulted in more than 40 deaths.
There are several reasons to be optimistic about building momentum to further restrict plans to expand oil extraction in its Amazon and keep fossil fuels permanently in the ground, and Ecuador is a great example.
For the first time, a government has put Indigenous peoples at the center, recognizing their ancestral right to decide over their lives and territories.
Democracy Now! | The landmark agreement seeks to halt the Earth’s sixth major mass extinction event, and Indigenous communities will have an increased role in protecting wildlife as part of the deal.
Indigenous communities are uniquely qualified to speak on the intersections between mining and biodiversity: Indigenous lands make up around 20% of the Earth’s territory, containing 80% of the world’s remaining biodiversity, requiring Indigenous peoples to be at the forefront of all decision-making regarding any global climate commitments.
Financial Post | “We are putting any institution or company looking to invest in or acquire Belo Sun on notice: this is a bad actor selling a dangerous project. Anyone looking to get involved with it will be shouldering serious risk and will be complicit in the continued threats to the Amazon rainforest, Indigenous and traditional peoples, and the global climate.”
Make your voice heard! When we amplify our demands by acting together, we can bring about real change.
Take ActionReceive the Eye on the Amazon in your Inbox! We'll never share your info and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Subscribe © 2000 - 2023 Amazon Watch. All Rights Reserved.
Excerpts and links are encouraged, provided that credit is given to Amazon Watch. Unauthorized use of photos, text, or any other content without express written permission is prohibited.
Any personal information collected on our website is protected by our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
To: President Guillermo Lasso of Ecuador –
I am deeply concerned about the increase in violence and threats to Indigenous leaders who stand in defense of their communities and territory in the Ecuadorian Amazon. On February 26, Eduardo Mendúa, father, community leader of the A’i Cofan nation, and secretary of international relations of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE) was murdered. This crime occurred just after his return from the CONAIE Council Meeting. Mendua had been an outspoken opponent of oil drilling in his community and in the Amazon.
I urge your government to investigate this killing and to guarantee the protection of Earth Defenders like Eduardo Mendua who remain at risk. Any investigation should also reveal any connections between the killing and activity employed by Petroecuador in the development of its operations, as Amazon Watch has received indications the company’s activities have contributed to tensions and conflicts in the area.
Your administration must also implement effective protection mechanisms for Indigenous land defenders and implement policies to address corporate abuses that lead to social and environmental crimes. Lastly, due not only to widespread opposition and the violations of Indigenous and environmental rights, but the violent death of Eduardo Mendua, your government must cease all oil operations by state owned Petroecuador on Cofan territory.
Sincerely,
Your name
A: Guillermo Lasso, Presidente de la República de Ecuador –
Estoy profundamente preocupado por el aumento de la violencia y las amenazas a los líderes indígenas que se levantan en defensa de sus comunidades y territorio en la Amazonía ecuatoriana. El 26 de febrero fue asesinado Eduardo Mendúa, padre, líder comunitario de la nación A’i Cofan y secretario de relaciones internacionales de la Confederación de Nacionalidades Indígenas del Ecuador (CONAIE). Este crimen ocurrió poco después de su regreso de la Reunión de Consejo de la CONAIE. Mendúa se había opuesto abiertamente a la explotación petrolera en su comunidad y en la Amazonía.
Insto a su gobierno a que investigue este asesinato y garantice la protección de los Defensores de la Tierra como Eduardo Mendúa que continúan en riesgo. Toda investigación también debería revelar cualquier conexión entre el asesinato y la actividad empleada por Petroecuador en el desarrollo de sus operaciones, ya que Amazon Watch ha recibido indicios de que las actividades de la empresa han contribuido a las tensiones y conflictos en la zona.
Su administración también debe implementar mecanismos de protección efectivos para los defensores de las tierras indígenas e implementar políticas para abordar los abusos corporativos que conducen a delitos sociales y ambientales. Por último, debido no solo a la oposición generalizada y las violaciones de los derechos indígenas y ambientales, sino también a la muerte violenta de Eduardo Mendúa, su gobierno debe cesar todas las operaciones petroleras de la estatal Petroecuador en territorio Cofán.
Respetuosamente,
Tu nombre
Josefina, through your leadership you have taught us the power of tenderness, words, and conviction. You have demanded dignity and respect from a government that has prioritized the exploitation of resources and marginalized Indigenous peoples for decades.
You’ve continued to empower your people to say NO to mining and in practice, you have powerfully exercised the right to self-determination and autonomy.
Thank you Josefina for your commitment to protect the Amazon and Indigenous autonomy. You have represented the collective decision to reject mining extraction on PSHA land and the protection of the Amazon.
Throughout your time as president we have seen your tireless efforts to speak out against the mining industry and the projects slated within your people’s land. Your courage against mining companies leaves a legacy of strength and for that we send you so much gratitude.
We also thank you for building a path for future women leaders who defend the land. You have inspired us with your conviction, skill, and courage the new generations of women leaders who seek to protect their cultural identity, strengthen their spaces of representation, and the agenda of Indigenous women’s rights.
Thank you Josefina for your resistance. During this Women’s History Month and always, we honor your steadfast commitment to justice.
Vanguard agreed in 2021 that it would release an interim emissions reductions plan to outline how it plans to reduce emissions by 2030. The “plan” that Vanguard released is woefully inadequate, pales in comparison to industry peers, and is by far the least ambitious, bare-minimum participation in the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative (NZAM).
Vanguard must go back to the drawing board and announce a new and substantive plan to actually reduce emissions as well as coal, oil, and gas exclusion policies!
To this day, Vanguard has not made any moves to address Indigenous rights violations or companies it invests in that contribute to deforestation. Also, it has failed to have the ambition to actually mitigate climate risk and create secure futures for clients; and it has no implementation plan to ensure that it actually meet the already minuscule “expectations” to reduce emissions by 2030.
This non-plan is a failure on every measure, and Vanguard customers, activists, financial experts, and more cannot accept it. It’s time to go back to the drawing board and release a new plan that is more in line with industry peers, NZAM principles, and Race to Zero criteria.
Sincerely,
Your name
Receive the Eye on the Amazon in your Inbox! We’ll never share your info with anyone else, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
