This briefing paper focuses on the Brazilian government's plans to build the third-largest dam in the world and one of the Amazon's most controversial development projects.
Xingu
Brazilian President's Promises Crumble Under Weight of Belo Monte Dam
Dilma Rousseff Pleased Environmentalists with Her Inaugural Speech, but They're Not So Happy Now
The Guardian | Brazil's new president, Dilma Rousseff, has never been popular among environmentalists. Since the early days of predecessor Luis Inácio Lula da Silva's presidency many activists have seen her as a leader with an old-fashioned view of development. Something like "economic growth is priority number one, no matter if some hectares of Amazon...
Brazilian Dam Clears Hurdle
The New York Times | A significant hurdle in the construction of a huge dam on a tributary of the Amazon river was removed this week when Brazilian authorities approved the clearing of hundreds of acres of forest at the dam site and the construction of new roads to service the project.
Brazil Green Lights Amazon Dam Despite Opposition
New Dilma Government Approves Fast-Track Forest Clearance and Commencement of Controversial Belo Monte Construction Site
Brazília, Brazil – The Brazilian government has issued a "partial" installation license allowing the Belo Monte Dam Complex to break ground on the margins of the Amazon's Xingu River despite egregious disregard for human rights and environmental legislation, the unwavering protests of civil society and condemnations by its Federal Public...
Risky Business in the Amazon
New Report Reveals Looming Financial, Legal and Reputational Disaster of Belo Monte, World's Third Largest Dam Project
Brasília and São Paulo, Brazil – The Belo Monte Dam Complex, slated to begin construction in April along the Xingu River in heart of the Brazilian Amazon, not only threatens ecological integrity and the livelihoods of indigenous peoples and other local communities but also presents tremendous risks for financiers, investors and the country's...
Amazon Watch is building on more than 25 years of radical and effective solidarity with Indigenous peoples across the Amazon Basin.
Critic of the Belo Monte Dam in Brazil Receives "Right Livelihood Award"
Belem, Brazil – International Rivers, Amazon Watch and the Movimento Xingu Vivo para Sempre celebrate the news that Bishop Erwin Kräutler will be one of four recipients of this year's Right Livelihood Award, often referred to as the "Alternative Nobel Prize."
March and Human Banner Are Reminder that "The Rivers of the Amazon Are Alive"
700 people, many threatened by dams and deforestation, form a human banner on Tapajós River in Santarém to bring attention to the threat of large dams in the Amazon
Santarém, Para, Brazil – For the people of the Amazon, the forests and the rivers are life. That is why they mobilized at the V Pan Amazon Forum in a global call to protect the rivers of the Amazon.
Just Released: James Cameron's "A Message from Pandora"
The 20-minute Feature Available on the Avatar Extended Collector's Edition DVD Casts Timely Spotlight on the Battle to Stop the Belo Monte Dam in Brazil
Los Angeles, CA – James Cameron, the creator of Avatar, has produced a short new film called "A Message from Pandora" – released this week — about an epic battle to stop the massive Belo Monte Dam on the Xingu River in the Brazilian Amazon.
Construction of the Belo Monte Dam Could be Delayed
Brazilian Environmental Protection Agency Technicians Recommend Against Partial Construction License Until Safeguard Conditions Are Met
Brasilia, Brazil – The technical team from Brazil's environmental protection agency, IBAMA, has issued its long-awaited technical assessment on the Belo Monte Dam Complex strongly recommending against a partial installation license until the dam building consortium, Norte Energia complies with upwards of 40 social and environmental...
Indígenas piden a la CIDH la suspensión de la presa de Belo Monte en Brasil
EFE | Grupos de indígenas y organizaciones de derechos humanos han solicitado protección a la CIDH para que suspenda la construcción de la hidroeléctrica de Belo Monte, en la Amazonía brasileña, informó hoy la organización Amazon Watch.
Indigenous and Riverbank Communities: Suspend the Belo Monte Dam
As the government prepares to issue the dam's construction license, communities urge the Commission to denounce illegalities in licensing and violations of human rights
Washington, D.C., Brazil – Today international and Brazilian human rights and environmental organizations submitted a formal petition to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), denouncing grave and imminent violations upon the rights of indigenous and riverine communities that will be affected by the construction of Belo Monte...
Belo Monte: It's Not Too Late!
The Brazilian government is on the eve of granting permission begin construction on the Belo Monte Dam, which would carve the world's third largest hydroelectric dam into the heart of the Amazon. We need to take action now before it's too late.
Amazon in Focus 2010
In this year’s Amazon in Focus, we are pleased to present to you powerful and insightful articles from our campaigners in the field. The journeys and events that inspired these articles demonstrate the breadth of our work and, at the same time, the depth of our connection to our indigenous partners and the rainforest.
The September Eye on the Amazon Is Out!
The latest version of our Eye on the Amazon enewsletter is out and online. Among other developments, it highlights the historic agreement the Government of Ecuador has made with the United Nations to create a trust fund in exchange for refraining from drilling for oil in the Yasuni National Park.
Defending the Rivers of the Amazon, with Sigourney Weaver
10-minute Tour in 3-D Highlights the Dam's Harmful Impacts on Xingu River and Greener Alternatives
Amazon Watch and International Rivers | Sigourney Weaver Narrates New Google Earth Animation on Brazil's Controversial Belo Monte Dam in the Amazon Rainforest.
Treehugger.com on James Cameron's Fight Against the Belo Monte Dam
As many supporters of Amazon Watch know by now, Avatar director and powerhouse filmmaker James Cameron has joined forces with us on a critical campaign in Brazil. Treehugger.com takes a look at Cameron's work today.
A Big Push to Stop the Belo Monte Monster Dam
It's a big day for Amazon Watch and our Brazil campaign team. We're involved in a major push to highlight the struggle against the Belo Monte Monster Dam in the Brazilian Amazon.
A Message From Pandora Trailer
"A Message from Pandora" is a special feature produced by James Cameron about the battle to stop the Belo Monte Dam on the Xingu, one of the great tributaries of the Amazon River.
The Xingu and its People
For hundreds of years, the Xingu River basin has been home to a cross-section of Brazilian life, made up of rural and urban communities. The region reveals a diverse conglomeration of people, with varying levels of multilingualism and acculturation to the Brazilian mainstream.
Cameron Travels to the Xingu River
James Cameron, Sigourney Weaver and Joel David Moore travel with members of Amazon Watch to the Xingu River basin.
Battle for the Xingu
Iara Lee / Cultures of Resistance | Imagine if Hurricane Katrina was not a hurricane at all, but an event sponsored by the federal government, in collaboration with several multinational corporations. If your imagination fails you, then perhaps you'll get a clearer picture by learning about the people of the Xingu River.
