It’s time to CARE FOR THE CANOPIES — and we can learn how to do it from indigenous people who have advocated for the rainforest for generations.
You might have known that the rainforest is home to millions of species of plants and animals, but did you know that people have also inhabited the rainforest for thousands of years? And every day, they see the threat of deforestation and biodiversity loss up close. Because of this, many have turned to activism — fighting to protect the RAINFORESTS they call home. These examples are just a few of the ways they are doing this.
Grassroots activism
For indigenous people, the pressure to protect the rainforest hits close to home. Many indigenous people have been inspired to take action — right where they are. People, like Awapy Uru-Eu-Wau-Wau, a chief of the Uru-Eu-Wau-Wau tribe in the Amazon, risk their lives to document illegal rainforest activities. Others, including Karop Alessandra Munduruku, leave their comfort zones to advocate for the rainforest both within and outside of their tribes.
Legal action
Getting governmental support to the protection of rainforests is essential — deforestation, the primary cause of rainforest destruction, is fueled by both legal and illegal activities like logging and mining. In Ecuador, the Shaur indigenous group banned together to file a complaint over the San Carlos mine that was expected to invade their territory and harm the rainforest. They eventually won — the mining project was declared to be a rights violation.
In Papua New Guinea, Petrus Kinggo, a member of the Wambon Tekamerop tribe, stood up against the development of a palm oil plantation by the Korindo Group that threatened their rainforest land. After being misled into signing an unfair contract, Kinggo continues to seek legal action to recover the land — despite facing harassment and intimidation.
These two examples are only the beginning. And success stories continue to encourage tribes and individuals to stand up to governments and corporations to fight for their rainforest land rights.
Indigenous organizations
Indigenous-led, nonprofit organizations collectively campaign to spread awareness and take action to defend the rainforest. Organizations like the Kanindé Ethno-Environmental Defense Association and the Coordination of the Indigenous Organizations of the Amazonian Basin are led by indigenous people who are dedicated to preserving rainforest ecosystems.
CARING FOR THE CANOPIES is more urgent than ever. With over 100,000 km (62,137 miles) of rainforest lost annually — we stand to lose 50% of all living plants and animals on Earth, in addition to indigenous land. Join indigenous activists and help preserve our precious rainforests today.
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Protect RAINFORESTS to protect the planet.
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