Foreign Policy | Between 2002 and 2013, at least 908 people were killed because of their environmental advocacy. That's an average of at least one environmentalist murdered every week, and in the last four years, the rate of the murders has doubled.
Climate Change
We Did It! ¡Todos Somos Yasunidos!
On April 12th, something incredibly inspiring happened in Ecuador. Yasunidos, a civil society collective of environmentalists, artists, activists, and indigenous leaders, delivered nearly 800,000 signatures calling for a national referendum on oil drilling in Yasuní National Park.
Indigenous Leaders Targeted in Battle to Protect Forests
IPS | Washington, DC – Indigenous leaders are warning of increased violence in the fight to save their dwindling forests and ecosystems from extractive companies.
"There Are Many Chico Mendes Around the World"
Franco Viteri, indigenous leader from the Ecuadorian Amazon, remembers hearing about the death of Chico Mendes. The lasting impression of Chico's example inspired Franco to participate in the Chico Vive! conference.
They Razed Paradise and Put up a Soybean Lot
Brazil's agro powers are excited to be edging closer to soy giant the United States. But environmentalists say there's another reason to be very afraid for the rain forest.
Global Post | "What causes deforestation? In Brazil, the major cause is still agribusiness," said Leila Salazar-Lopez, program director at Amazon Watch. "With the news of deforestation increasing in Brazil, with the Forest Code being revamped, with the 'ruralistas' and agribusiness really having control of Congress and creating an assault on the environment and...
Amazon Watch is building on more than 25 years of radical and effective solidarity with Indigenous peoples across the Amazon Basin.
¡Yasuní Depende de Ti!
Celebrities rise in solidarity with Ecuadorians to defend the Amazon
“The future is in your hands,” said Oscar award winning actor Jared Leto, urging Ecuadorian voters to sign for an oil-free Yasuní. Watch a new video released today featuring celebrity supporters in solidarity with Ecuadorians to defend Yasuní National Park from oil drilling.
Pace of Global Land Rights Reform Is Slowing, Says New Report
Change is promised but land grabs continue and 61% of forests are still claimed by governments
The Guardian | The report features several case studies, including one on the growing "roll call of people killed for their land rights activism" and another on Peru where land conflicts are described as "reaching a crisis" and threatening to "undermine [the country's] status as an honest broker" as the host of the UN climate talks in December this year.
First International Tribunal on Rights of Nature
Inaugural session in Ecuador admits nine cases
Quito, Ecuador – Before an audience of 400 people, the world's first Ethics Tribunal on the Rights of Nature and Mother Earth held its inaugural session in Quito, Ecuador, the first country to recognize the Rights of Nature in its constitution. The Tribunal will be a permanent platform for hearing and judging cases from around the world.
Amazon Women: On the Front Lines of Grassroots Climate Leadership
Women activists and leaders have been at the core of the environmental movement since its inception
Earth Island Journal | Women in leadership positions who are working for environmental and social justice are not only reshaping our world by addressing the issues, they're also fundamentally changing the terrain of our institutions by introducing more effective leadership qualities, and by shifting and transforming our systems from the inside out.
Patricia Gualinga: Warrior for the Amazon
For years, Kichwa leader Patricia Gualinga has been on the front lines of Sarayaku's struggle, a key protagonist in their recent historic victory and an incredible leader of a rapidly-growing movement of women defending the Amazon.
Stunning Aerial Photos Reveal Ecuador Building Roads Deeper into Yasuní Rainforest
Petroamazonas appears to be building destructive access roads deeper into Yasuní National Park
Mongabay.com | Photographers Ivan Kashinsky and Karla Gachet were on assignment in Yasuní National Park, home to arguably the most biodiverse rainforest in the world. While there, they happened to take an aerial shoot above a controversial oil concession located in the heart of the park at the precise moment that the national oil company was secretly building a...
It's Green Festival Time! Join Amazon Watch this Weekend
Amazon Watch is honored to be an NGO partner of the Green Festival in San Francisco this weekend, November 9-10. We invite you to spend the weekend with us for FREE.
Calamity Calling: What If We Lost the Amazon?
GlobalPost | The Amazon rainforest is best known for its vibrant wildlife and endless canopy. But it also plays a key role in the world's climate. But the world's largest rainforest is now in trouble.
Amazonian Indigenous Women Mobilize for Life
"We've mobilized because we're worried about oil exploration plans, the 11th Round in particular, which affects all of the Amazon. We are here for our lives, yours, the entire world's lives and for those of our future generations."
Corruption in Peru Aids Cutting of Rain Forest
The New York Times | In recent years, Peru has passed laws to crack down on illegal logging, as required by a 2007 free trade agreement with the United States. But large quantities of timber, including increasingly rare types like mahogany, continue to flow out, much of it ultimately heading to the United States for products like hardwood flooring and decking sold by...
Why Ecuador's President Is Misleading the World on Yasuni-ITT
Rafael Correa has moved to abolish an historic Amazon oil plan, but don't be fooled by what he claims
The Guardian | The decision by Ecuador's president Rafael Correa to abandon a plan to permanently forgo exploiting hundreds of millions of barrels of oil has sparked severe non-state media criticism in Ecuador, calls for a referendum, protests in numerous cities and embassies around the world, and an international outcry.
Ecuador's Parliament Gives the Green Light to Oil Drilling in Yasuni
MPs authorise drilling in Amazon rainforest after failure of Rafael Correa's plan to persuade rich nations to protect it
Reuters | Ecuador's parliament has authorised drilling of the nation's largest oilfields in part of the Amazon rainforest after the failure of President Rafael Correa's plan to have rich nations pay to avoid its exploitation. Correa launched the initiative in 2007 to protect the Yasuni jungle area, which boasts some of the planet's most diverse wildlife...
The Battle over Ecuador’s Oil Takes New Twist
China Dialogue | "The industrialised world isn't blameless, but most blame goes to Correa," says Amazon Watch's Adam Zuckerman. "It was difficult to sell the initiative if you're drilling right up to ITT, and he's been talking about 'Plan B' pretty constantly over the last year."
Over 100 Scientists Warn Ecuadorian Congress Against Oil Development in Yasuni
Mongabay.com | Over 100 scientists have issued a statement to the Ecuadorian Congress warning that proposed oil development and accompanying roads in Yasuni National Park will degrade its "extraordinary biodiversity."
Science Warns Against Drilling in Yasuní National Park
National Geographic | The Ecuadorian government is currently racing ahead with plans to drill for oil in the core of what is arguably the most biodiverse corner of the planet. In response, a group of more than 100 scientists from Ecuador and 18 other countries around the world submitted a statement to the Ecuadorian Congress detailing the extraordinary biodiversity of...
Amazon Watched! Our Annual Event Was a Big Success
This Wednesday Amazon Watch held its 8th Annual Luncheon in San Francisco with a packed house. Many thanks to the hundreds of friends who came to join us in person and even more who tuned in to lend their support online.
33 Million Strong, Women Form Unprecedented Alliance
Declaration and Action Agenda Takes on Climate Change and Promotes Sustainability Solutions
New York, NY – Unlikely partnerships, meaningful policy, reaching beyond the choir, gender equality and a commitment to bold action were all on the agenda as 100+ women from around the world gathered in New York for three days of dialogue and deliberation at the International Women’s Earth and Climate Summit.
Participate Online in the International Women’s Earth and Climate Summit
The Summit will bring together 100 global women leaders from 35 countries to help further a Women’s Climate Action Agenda to build momentum for substantive action to address the global climate crisis.
Brazil Confirms Amazon Deforestation Increase
Mongabay.com | Data released by the Brazilian government Friday confirms an increase in Amazon forest loss. INPE's data shows that deforestation is pacing 14 percent higher than last year, when forest loss was the lowest since annual record-keeping began in the late 1980s.
"Traditional Forest Knowledge Is not Folklore, but a Resource for Change"
Forests News | Researchers and policymakers have a lot to learn in designing and implementing climate change adaptation strategies from smallholder farmers in the Amazon, says Miguel Pinedo-Vásquez.
Climate Change Calls for Courageous Leadership
The Press | The Hillary Institute of International Leadership has chosen Atossa Soltani as its fifth global Hillary Laureate for exceptional leadership and its second in climate equity, which considers the social impacts of climate change. On World Environment Day, Mark Prain of the institute introduces her and her work.
Amazon Watch Fearless Founder Named Hillary Leadership Laureate
From a global watch-list on leaders in mid-career whose leadership is exceptional and inspirational, the Institute selected Atossa as its 5th Annual Hillary Laureate awardee for Leadership in Climate Equity.
Atossa Soltani Named 2013 Global Hillary Laureate
From a global watch-list on leaders in mid-career whose leadership is exceptional and inspirational, the Institute's international board, the Hillary Summit, has selected Amazon Watch Founder and Executive Director, Atossa Soltani as its 5th Annual Hillary Laureate awardee for Leadership in Climate Equity.
Brazilians Denounce Dirty Belo Monte-Euro Connections
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.
