Several artists launch a call to protect 80% of the Amazon rainforest by 2025
By Johani Carolina Ponce* / Huella Zero / Special for Connection
At the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the United Nations Convention on Biodiversity in Montreal, Canada, a group of international organizations and artists released a powerful video appealing to the global community in solidarity with the indigenous peoples and allies of the Amazon requesting respect for indigenous rights, recognition of indigenous territories and a global agreement for the permanent protection of 80% of the Amazon rainforest by 2025. This call is made in support of the initiative “Amazon for Life 80% by 2025” that seeks to avoid the ecological tipping point of the Amazon.
The Amazon is the largest and most bioculturally diverse tropical rainforest in the world. It is home to 511 indigenous nations, including 66 uncontacted groups living in voluntary isolation. More than 300 languages are spoken in this vast region that spans 9 countries (Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana).
The Amazon is home to a third of Earth’s terrestrial plant and animal species, functions as the biological heart of our planet: it stores and sequesters vast amounts of carbon, regulates continental and global climate, produces oxygen and rain, and boosts weather systems, among other benefits.
The video features a list of international artists, including Rosario Dawson, Ricky Martin, Esai Morales, Ziggy Marley, Barbra Streisand, Wagner Moura, Fran Drescher, Lisa Bonet, Bill Pullman, Ed Begley Jr., Frances Fisher, Simon Mejia (of Bomba Stereo), Rocky Dawuni, Melora Hardin, Scottie Thompson and Kumiko Hayashi. Young climate activists Txai Surui and Xiye Bastida, scientist David Suzuki, and indigenous filmmaker Jimmy Piaguaje are also lending their voices to the growing coalition calling for action to protect the Amazon rainforest.
The actress Rosario Dawson maintains that justice is not being done with the violation of the rights of the defenders of the Amazon. “Deforestation has seen a dramatic increase in the Amazon rainforest, the list of defenders who stood up to illegal loggers, land grabbers and miners and were killed for defending their rights grows tragically each year with little or no accountability” .
Gregorio Mirabal, General Coordinator of COICA, Coordinator of Organizations of the Amazon Basin affirms that indigenous peoples need the support of the international community. “The Amazon is reaching a point of no return. We announced it last year and we are here again saying that the Amazon needs urgent action, and we indigenous peoples are providing solutions. Scientists agree that indigenous peoples they are doing the best job as protectors of the forest and that indigenous solutions must be supported. So, once again, we are here to demand the technical, political and financial support we need to continue to protect our forest and avoid tipping point.”
This video was produced and directed by Artists for Amazonia and Oscar-nominated documentarian Kit Thomas and Téana David of Wise Planet Media, in collaboration with COICA, Amazon Watch, Avaaz and partners like Stand Earth, One Earth and Wild-Heritage in the initiative Amazon for Life.
*Johani Ponce is a Venezuelan journalist who currently works as Media Engagement and Public Relations Manager of the Sachamama Environmental Organization.
Video link: https://vimeo.com/781334006
