Journalism of Courage
Fires across the Brazilian Amazon have sparked an international outcry for preservation of the world’s largest rainforest. It was decidedly the biggest event in 2019 in global politics. (Reuters)
With over 98% of Brazil's indigenous lands within the Amazon, the threat to groups like Kayapo's are particularly exposed. (Reuters)
According to Brazil's National Space Research Institute, an estimated 3,553 fires are now burning on 148 indigenous territories in the region. (Reuters)
Boslonaro has come under harsh criticism for environmental policies that some say are weakening safeguards in the rainforest. He maintains Europeans are trying to infringe on his country's sovereignty, while also arguing that the demarcation of indigenous lands has hindered business interests. (Reuters)
Fires in the Amazon not only mean the carbon-absorbing forest is disappearing, but the flames themselves are emitting millions of tons of carbon every day. (Reuters)
The current fires are manmade and are mostly set illegally by landgrabbers who are clearing the forest for cattle ranching and crops. (Reuters)
