More About Brazil

With the Brazilian Amazon in Flames, We Must All Be the Resistance

Today we may be witnessing the tragedy of our lifetime: the Brazilian Amazon is in flames and in peril. Indeed, it's not only the Amazon, but our entire planet that is in crisis as the devastation of this life-giving biome poses a real, existential threat for all of humanity.

Blame Humans for Starting the Amazon Fires, Environmentalists Say

"The Amazon is incredibly important for our future, for our ability to stave off the worst of climate change," said Christian Poirier, Amazon Watch Program Director . "This isn't hyperbole. We're looking at untold destruction – not just of the Amazon but for our entire planet."

The Amazon Rainforest Has Been on Fire for Three Weeks. Here's Why You're Only Hearing About It Now.

"Indigenous people of the Amazon have been sounding the alarm about risks to the rainforest for years, and resisting the destruction, sometimes at the cost of their own lives," said Moira Birss. "Unfortunately, it seems the Amazon has to burn before the world pays attention."

The Amazon Is on Fire and the Smoke Can Be Seen from Space

The Amazon has been burning for weeks amid increasing deforestation. The intense smoke was detected by NASA and plunged São Paulo into darkness on Monday.

Earlier this month, Amazonas (the largest state in Brazil) declared a state of emergency over the rising number of forest fires. Fire season in the Amazon is just beginning – it runs from August through October, with its peak coming in mid-September, and the smoke is already so bad that it can be seen from space.

Indigenous Women Mobilize to Resist Bolsonaro

Yesterday, nearly 3,000 indigenous women leaders from across Brazil staged a mobilization in the nation’s capital as part of the country’s first Indigenous Women's March. Entitled "Territory: our body, our spirit,” this historic gathering was in response to escalating violations of indigenous rights under the Bolsonaro government, as native peoples and their lands fall increasingly under assault.

Indigenous Women Mobilize to Resist Bolsonaro in Major Brasilia Protests

August 13th, more than 2,000 indigenous women leaders from across Brazil will stage a mobilization in the nation’s capital as part of the country’s first Indigenous Women's March. Entitled "Territory: our body, our spirit,” this historic gathering responds to escalating violations of indigenous rights under the Bolsonaro government, as native peoples and their lands fall increasingly under assault.

As the Brazilian Amazon Burns, Indigenous Peoples Take a Stand

Last month Amazon Watch visited the Munduruku people in the Amazonian state of Pará, whose nation stretches the vast Tapajós River basin. Our stay in the contested Sawré Muybu territory was illustrative of the spiraling threats faced by indigenous peoples in Bolsonaro’s Brazil.