TEMPERATURE
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others – as a key target for solidarity
actions. Find out which destructive firms
are near you, and consider how you –
and any groups you are part of – can
put pressure on them through protests,
boycotts, public shaming or divestment
campaigns.^34
Focus on import standards
The EU is on the brink of ratifying a
Free Trade Agreement with Latin Ameri-
can countries, including Brazil, which
could increase deforestation unless strong
safeguards are put in place. Governments
around the world could – and should- introduce stronger import standards
to prevent companies from sourcing
products from land linked to rainforest
destruction. Pressure your government to
take these issues seriously – or elect new
ones that will.
5
Donate
Give money to groups such as the
Indigenous Environment Network, Amazon
Watch or the Rainforest Action Network.^46
Adjust your diet
The Bureau of Investigative Journalism
(TBIJ) has found that nearly $1.25 billion
worth of beef was supplied to Britain in
the last five years by three giant Brazil-
ian meat companies. One of these, Marfig- which has supplied McDonalds and
Burger King along with other fast-food
chains – bought cattle from a farm that
had been using deforested land earlier
this year. You can reduce (or cut out)
beef consumption, and ensure any
soya products you buy aren’t from
rainforest land. In the meantime, you
can seek out and help build your local,
sustainable growing project.
With input from Juan José Guzmán of
Transforma, Tom Younger of the Forest
Peoples Programme, Luis Alberto Camargo of
OpEPA, and Ana Maria Ancines of Parents
for Future Colombia.1 eg ‘Last Stand’, April 2016, New Internationalist.
Co-editor Wayne Ellwood explains what drives
the devastation of our forests. nin.tl/forests
2 nin.tl/PledgeSolidarity 3 nin.tl/FollowTheMoney
4 ienearth.org, amazonwatch.org, act.ran.orgA sharp rise in the annual rate of fires in
Brazil sent shockwaves around the world
in August. While not the worst fires in the
history of the Brazilian rainforest, they
resonated with a wide audience for three
key reasons.
The first is a better public understand-
ing of the climate dangers posed by losing
the Amazon. Secondly, the far-right
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has
caused outrage by actively encouraging
the fires (see page 59). Viral media articles
that link the Western demand for beef
to deforested land are a third driver of
international interest.
As the 2019 fire season draws to a close,
here are some ways to capitalize on this
attention and defend the Amazon from
fire and other threats:1
Learn more about root causes
These fires haven’t come out of no-
where. They’re being driven not just by
Brazil’s far-right government but by
global agribusiness, mining, oil and fi-
nance sectors who have been shamelessly
profiting from rainforest destruction
for decades. This isn’t just happening in
Brazil either – it’s a pattern across all thecountries of the Amazon basin, which
includes Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Ven-
ezuela, Bolivia, Suriname and Guyana.
Read up on the context and history of
exploitation.^12
Support local resistance
Leaked documents published by open-
democracy.net show Bolsonaro’s govern-
ment is planning major road and dam
projects in the Amazon. This is not just
about financial gain – it’s about trying
to break the spirit and organizing power
of indigenous forest peoples, who con-
tinue to resist destructive governments
across Latin America. In Brazil, they –
combined with a growing urban protest
movement – have helped push public
dissatisfaction with Bolsonaro past 50
per cent. Seek out and share stories of
forest peoples’ struggles and send your
support.^23
Challenge companies
One of the biggest financial backers of
Amazon destruction, BlackRock, faced
large protests at five of its global offices
on 5 September. Indigenous leaders in
Brazil singled out this company – andWords — Danny ChiversSIX THINGS YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT THE AMAZON
NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 51SOPA IMAGES LIMITED/ALAMY