Press Releases

New Report to Reveal European Banks Financing Trade of Controversial Amazon Oil to U.S.

Banks in Switzerland, France, the Netherlands facilitating trade from Amazon Sacred Headwaters region in Ecuador

Geneva, Switzerland – North America-based environmental organizations Stand.earth and Amazon Watch will release a report on 12 August 2020 detailing how European banks are financing the trade of controversial oil from the Amazon Sacred Headwaters region in Ecuador to international destinations like California.

More Than 60 NGOs Demand Moratorium on Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon

The Association of Brazil's Indigenous Peoples (APIB) and several organizations deliver the proposal ahead of the Amazon burning season

São Paulo – More than 60 NGOs, including Amazon Watch, in partnership with the Association of Brazil's Indigenous Peoples' Association (APIB) delivered a letter today to the Brazilian Congress, foreign investors, and European parliamentarians demanding five emergency measures to contain the deforestation crisis in the Amazon rainforest, including the establishment of a moratorium on logging for at least five years.

Bolsonaro's Temporary Fire Ban Fails to Implement Real Policy and Enforcement Measures to Combat Fires

"Illegal deforestation is the fundamental precursor to the Amazon fires, and scientists have recorded that June's deforestation levels were 64 percent higher than last year. This spike is a direct consequence of Bolsonaro's dangerous anti-environmental agenda."

Murder of Two Yanomami by Illegal Miners Heightens Fears of Renewed Cycle of Violence in the Brazilian Amazon

The Indigenous Hutukara Yanomami Association demands a rigorous investigation of the murders and reinforces the need for the Brazilian government to immediately expel more than 20,000 miners illegally operating on Yanomami land

"The murder of two more Yanomami by miners must be rigorously investigated and reinforces the need for the Brazilian State to act urgently and immediately remove all the miners who are illegally exploiting the Yanomami Territory and harassing and assaulting the Indigenous communities who live there."

Proposed Gold Mine in Brazilian Amazon Presents Unacceptable Degree of Risk According to New Expert Report

Hydrogeologist recommends that Canadian company Belo Sun’s license be revoked

An expert study released today reveals serious deficiencies in the environmental impact assessment submitted to Brazilian authorities by Canadian mining company Belo Sun. The analysis exposes an unacceptable degree of risk, resulting in a scenario where the tailings dam at the proposed Volta Grande gold mine will fail, contaminate the Xingu River and harm nearby communities, including Indigenous peoples.

Miners Out, COVID-19 Out: The Yanomami and Ye'kwana People of the Brazilian Amazon Launch a Global Campaign to Expel Miners from Their Territory

Indigenous leaders demand the urgent removal of 20,000 illegal gold miners from their lands to prevent the spread of COVID-19 through their villages. The disease could infect up to 40% of Yanomami communities if wildcat mining remains, threatening a new ethnocide.

Roraima State, Brazil – In a new global campaign led by a coalition of Yanomami and Ye'kwana organizations, Indigenous leaders define the #MinersOutCovidOut campaign as "a cry for help against an old nightmare which has turned even more deadly." Launching internationally today, the campaign demands that the Brazilian government immediately remove more than 20,000 gold miners currently operating illegally in Yanomami territory.

Chevron's Move to Hold Online Annual Shareholder's Meeting Provided No Respite from Intense Criticism by Affected Communities, Prominent Leaders, and Artists

CEO Wirth Never Before Confronted by Such Prominent Group of Voices Including Alec Baldwin, Roger Waters, and Nobel Laureate Jody Williams

Chevron's annual shareholder's meeting took place online this year due to the global coronavirus pandemic. Ironically, by holding a virtual meeting, Chevron opened itself up to greater participation in what is usually a closed-door ticketed event. Nobel Peace Prize winner Jody Williams and world-renowned actor and producer Alec Baldwin both stood to move shareholder resolutions related to the $9.5 billion Ecuador liability by sharing pre-recorded video messages.