Indigenous voices rise in Brasília: Save Amazon, save the world
Thousands of indigenous inhabitants of the Amazon marched through the capital of Brazil to emphasize the crucial role the Amazon rainforest plays in combating the climate crisis.
Indigenous people from the Amazon marched through Brasília to highlight the importance of the Amazon rainforest, often referred to as the "lungs of the world", in the context of the global climate crisis. This event coincided with the UN debate on climate change.
Brazilian media highlighted the march as an expression of opposition to the destruction of the Amazon's virgin rainforests. Participants carried banners with slogans declaring that "our Indigenous lands and virgin forests are the best-preserved lungs of the world and help to halt the climate crisis."
In the past two years, the Amazon basin has experienced the most severe drought in history. This drought has caused river levels to drop, increased the number of fires, and damaged wildlife. Research points to human activity as the leading cause of these changes.
This is a historic COP for the social movement. It’s a key moment for all Indigenous peoples to show that we are alive, said Juan Carlos Jintiach, executive secretary of the Global Alliance of Territorial Communities of Indigenous Peoples.
The importance of indigenous tribes
Brazilian indigenous tribes inhabit 13% of the country's territory, mainly covered by the Amazon rainforest. Currently, about 900,000 people live in the Brazilian Amazon. Their presence and actions are crucial for protecting this unique ecosystem.
Among them are entirely isolated tribes that have no contact with modern civilization. Unfortunately, contemporary society is increasingly encroaching on their lands. As "National Geographic" points out, the authorities are issuing more permits for logging in areas that serve as a sanctuary for these tribes.
