Climate News Network | The unprecedented drought now affecting São Paulo, South America's giant metropolis, is believed to be caused by the absence of the "flying rivers" – the vapour clouds from the Amazon that normally bring rain to the centre and south of Brazil.
Climate Change
Big Dams Are Not Clean Energy Sources
An open letter signed by 52 NGOs working in Latin America
As critical climate negotiations take place this week in New York, Amazon Watch joined a coalition of 52 NGOs working in Latin America to insist that large dams should not be considered a clean energy source, nor an energy solution to climate change.
Indigenous Voices Lead Largest Climate March Ever
Momentum building as indigenous representatives call to Keep the Oil in the Ground at the People's Climate March in New York
This past week a small group made big waves in New York City. Amazonian indigenous spokespeople and social movement leaders joined the Indigenous Bloc in leading more than 400,000 others at the People's Climate March. Amazon Watch joined front-line indigenous communities and representatives in demanding that humanity keep the oil in the ground as...
Amazon Women on the Frontlines of Climate Change
A selection of photos from Amazon Women on the Frontlines of Climate Change, a traveling photography exhibit with written and live testimonies from indigenous women leading solutions on the frontlines of the Amazon as the region confronts the impacts of climate change.
Amazon Women on the Frontlines of Climate Change
"When women decide to do something, when we are firm and radical, we will be successful and make it happen!" Patricia Gualinga addressed a packed crowd in the very spirit of her words, moving the entire room to a standing ovation. "Everywhere on the planet, we have such a powerful impact."
Amazon Watch is building on more than 25 years of radical and effective solidarity with Indigenous peoples across the Amazon Basin.
Indigenous Groups Give Cautious Welcome to Deal Struck at UN
Governments pledge to consult native groups over projects on indigenous lands and improve access to education and services
The Guardian | Patricia Gualinga, from the Sarayaku community in the Ecuador Amazon, who travelled to the conference with Amazon Watch, was more skeptical about what the new document would bring. "Until now what I have seen and heard is that all presidents have beautiful discourses, but where I come from it just stays on paper and in discourses and not in...
Indigenous Groups Call for Drilling Limits to Fight Climate Change
The UN is holding the first World Conference on Indigenous Peoples during the General Assembly
Al Jazeera | "You don't have to look for where you are going to begin. We are already here fighting to preserve the jungle. We are present, we have been present, and we want to support the world and humanity. We in Sarayaku are betting on life, not death," said Patricia Gualinga.
"Keep the Oil in the Ground!" Key Message at People's Climate March
The key to solving the climate crisis starts with respecting indigenous rights and territory. Indigenous peoples whose lands, culture and way of life are already being destroyed are calling for a stop to the expansion of the oil frontier. Their voices deserve to be heard, especially since the regions they are trying to protect are vital for all of...
People's Climate March in New York City
Over 310,000 people filled the streets of New York City to participate in the largest climate march in history. Amazon Watch accompanied indigenous leaders from the Ecuadorian rainforest and marched with thousands of others calling globally to Keep the Oil in the Ground in the Amazon.
With Its Green Cred Under Fire, Peru Prepares to Host UN Climate Talks
The South American country has warmed up for the next mega-conference in Lima to negotiate a new Earth-saving climate treaty by rolling back its own environmental safeguards
GlobalPost | Many of the country's environmental problems are deep-rooted and predate the government of President Ollanta Humala, who took office in July 2011. Yet he has drawn green activists' ire for the "paquetazo," a package of economic reforms he signed into law on July 11.
Drowned Tropical Forests Add to Climate Change
New scientific data supports the belief that methane emissions from big hydroelectric dams in the tropics outweigh the benefits that this form of renewable energy provides
Climate News Network | Big dams built in the tropics to produce hydroelectricity have long been highly controversial – and data gathered in Laos by a French team studying methane emissions confirms that dams can add to global warming, not reduce it.
Voices from Ecuador Echo in New York
"We have to free ourselves from our addiction to oil. If we want to take on climate change, we can't continue extracting, consuming, looking for more oil and sacrificing more [indigenous] territories," said said Esperanza Martinez, founder and president of Acción Ecológica in an interview with Naomi Klein in New York City.
Indigenous Block to Speak Out in Central Park Before Leading People's Climate March
New York, NY – As tens of thousands of people flood the city to participate in the People’s Climate March, a coalition of indigenous peoples from around the world will converge in a reserved area of south-west Central Park to speak out about the seriousness of climate change and the impacts of fossil fuels and oil related developments in...
Esperanza Martinez at This Changes Everything talk with Naomi Klein
The New School | Esperanza Martinez – President of Acción Ecológica, co-founder of Oilwatch, and one of Ecuador's most recognizable and influential environmental leaders – talks about the struggle to save the Yasuní National Park in Ecuador at the This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs The Climate event hosted by Naomi Klein.
Why I March: We Need to Leave the Oil in the Ground!
Huffington Post | If we continue preying on the Earth under the banner of the oil economy, we put at risk both our lives and that of the planet. Mother Earth is tired of so much abuse and ill-treatment. Now is the time to put on the brakes, to say, "this is the limit, we can't continue this way."
Keep the Oil in the Ground!
Our future is in peril and the changing climate is a key indicator. Scientists warn us that global warming is spiraling out of control which is why we need to see immediate action now. As the Amazon basin is a keystone area in combating climate change, preserving this region is essential for humanity's survival.
Message to World Leaders: Keep the Oil in the Ground
Indigenous & grassroots delegation from the Amazon rainforest bring solutions to global climate summit
Amazonian indigenous peoples and grassroots social movements are leading the call to develop real solutions to climate change, including the imperative to leave two-thirds of known fossil fuel reserves in the ground, starting with the Amazon. A delegation of indigenous and grassroots leaders from Ecuador are traveling to New York City to...
Amazon Deforestation "Halted" after Key Arrests
The Public Prosecutor in Pará state, which accounts for a large area of Amazon rainforest, tells the Anadolu Agency that deforestation has been reduced to zero in areas where an operation targeting key business figures behind illegal logging netted critical arrests
World Bulletin | The Public Prosecutor in Pará state, which accounts for a large area of Amazon rainforest, tells the Anadolu Agency that deforestation has been reduced to zero in areas where an operation targeting key business figures behind illegal logging netted critical arrests.
Destruction of Brazilian Amazon Spikes by Almost a Third
New data reveal that annual rate of deforestation is up for first time in five years
Al Jazeera | The rate of destruction blighting the world's largest rain forest spiked by nearly a third last year, according to new data released by the Brazilian government.
Amazon Watch Announces Leadership Transition
Founder Atossa Soltani to become President of the Board in January 2015
Oakland, CA – Today, the Board of Directors of Amazon Watch announced that Founder and Executive Director Atossa Soltani will become President of the Board of the international environmental and human rights organization effective January 1, 2015. Soltani has served as Executive Director since 1996.
Defend Mother Earth: March to Demand Action on Climate!
On Sunday, September 21st march in New York City or in your community to demand action for climate justice, for Mother Earth, for our shared future. To change this dangerous trajectory we're on – to bend the course of history – we need everyone on board.
With Deep Gratitude
The last eighteen years have been an incredible journey. Together we have helped protect millions of acres of pristine rainforest and have stood with indigenous peoples as they fought for and strengthened their rights. With our partners, we have won globally significant victories for rainforests and corporate accountability.
To Fight Climate Change We Need to Protect the People Who Live in the Rainforest
Motherboard | A new study by the World Resources Institute and Rights and Resources Initiative has concluded that f you put the woods in the care of people who know them the most intimately – the local communities and indigenous peoples who inhabit them – the woods will be safe.
Brazil's Indigenous Tribes: The Low Cost Solution to Climate Change?
Traditional communities living in harmony with nature need greater support from governments, says report
RTCC | Indigenous communities in Brazil may be the solution for preserving the Amazon rainforests and avoiding climate change, according to a new report.
After Government Suppression, Action Continues for Yasuní
Yesterday – on World Environment Day – the Ecuadorian government organized a rally to back its decision to drill Yasuní. Is the administration trying to give the middle finger to environmentalists and to the planet?
Mining Companies Don't Take Into Account the Cost of Community Conflicts, Study Says
Opposition by Indigenous Groups Seen as Major Risk to Resource Projects World-wide
The Wall Street Journal | "We are not against all investments, that would be absurd," said Roberto Espinoza, an adviser to Peru's biggest indigenous organization, Aidesep. "We only ask that the law is respected, and the law says communities should be consulted...and have the right to determine their own development."
Climate – Forests – Peoples: We Are One
Respect for and non penalization of indigenous self-determination
COP20 is an event that confronts the largest challenge and tragedy of all time: What to do in order to not pass 2 degrees of catastrophic warming? What to do to keep alive the Amazon forest, of which Peru has the second largest extension? We have an unrepeatable opportunity to achieve decisive changes in Peru and the world in favor of continuity...
Ecuadorian Government Seeks to Quash Legitimate Yasuní Referendum
The people have spoken The world is watching. Let them vote!
Now that the idea of the Yasuní-ITT initiative is back in the hands of civil society, it may fall victim to an egregious example of government overreach and voter suppression. That's bad for Ecuador and for the world.
448 "Dead Friends of the Earth" in Brazil since 2002
Report reveals rising number of environment and land rights activists being killed worldwide
The Guardian | What now happens twice a week to "ordinary people" around the world trying to protect the environment and rights to land? They get killed.
