The Amazon Is on Fire. Here’s What You Can Do.
(August 28, 2019) — Unprecedented fires are ravaging the Amazon— more than 74,000 Brazil alone this year, an 84% increase over last year’s count. Fires are also raging in Bolivia and Peru. This is an international tragedy and a dangerous contribution to the climate emergency.
The National Articulation of the Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB) has called for international solidarity in response the fires the ever-increasing threats. Amazon Watch and Extinction Rebellion are leading a call for a Global Day of Action for the Amazon on September 5, 2019, also known as “Amazon Day.” Please join us!
Unprecedented fires are ravaging the Amazon — more than 74,000 in Brazil alone this year, an 84% increase over last year’s count. Fires are also raging in Bolivia and Peru. This is an international tragedy and a dangerous contribution to the climate emergency.
In the wake of this crisis, Amazon Watch is working around the clock to respond, expand our advocacy work on behalf of our indigenous allies, and redirect funds to provide direct support for indigenous communities fighting to defend their rights and territories. The amazing increase in support has been vital to our efforts to significantly expand our work in Brazil and direct regranting to partners via our Amazon Protectors Fund.
Global Day of Action for the Amazon — #Sept5Act4Amazonia
Indigenous earth defenders have put out an urgent call for international solidarity and Amazon Watch, the National Articulation of the Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB), and Extinction Rebellion are mobilizing a Global Day of Action for the Amazon on September 5th, directed at Brazilian embassies and consulates — but also the global corporations profiting from Amazon destruction.
Protecting forests and upholding the rights of Indigenous people is one of the most effective defenses we have against climate breakdown.
This devastation is directly related to President Bolsonaro’s anti-environmental rhetoric, which erroneously frames forest protections and human rights as impediments to Brazil’s economic growth.
Governments and companies around the world are emboldening Bolsonaro’s toxic policies when they enter trade agreements with his government or invest in agribusiness companies operating in the Amazon.
Possible targets for #Sept5Act4Amazonia protests on September 5th:
- Brazilian embassies or consulates
- BlackRock offices
- Cargill offices
- Costco stores
- WalMart stores
- JP Morgan Chase banks or offices
- HSBC banks or offices
- Stop and Shop stores
- BNP offices
- Santander offices
- JBS offices
- Mafrig offices
- Leclerc stores
- Offices of local or national politicians in nations with trade agreements with Brazil
All actions should be non-violent. Planned events include protests, sit ins, marches and vigils. You can also organize a benefit concert or film screening to raise much-needed funds to protect the Amazon.
This is where we draw the line. We’ve had enough of companies promising they care about the environment while continuing to drive forest destruction. They need to act now — while there are still forests left to protect.
Sponsors:
Amazon Watch
Extinction Rebellion
National
Association of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB)
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Amazon destruction is not new, however. 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.
It is critical that before the G7 Summit, the United National General Assembly meeting and Climate Week, this issue be put on the forefront and that international pressure is brought to force Brazil to address the urgent need to suppress the fires, protect the Amazon and respect the rights of indigenous peoples and their territory.
Amazon Watch and APIB conducted an investigation this year that showed how many US and European companies — like Cargill and ADM — and financiers — like BlackRock, JP Morgan Chase and Santander — are complicit in Amazon deforestation.
Pledge Solidarity with Brazil’s Resistance!
The election of right-wing extremist Jair Bolsonaro as Brazil’s president has triggered a crisis for indigenous rights, the Amazon rainforest, and our global climate. A spike in violent attacks against indigenous villages has already occurred in the days since the election.
Brazil’s human rights and environmental community will not back down in the face of this emergency, and neither can we. They need our support.
