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Where defending nature can be deadly Where Defending Nature Can Be Deadly
(8 months later)
RIO DE JANEIRO — The world’s forests are increasingly threatened and the main thing keeping some of them alive are the people, many of them Indigenous, standing up against those who want to clear the land.RIO DE JANEIRO — The world’s forests are increasingly threatened and the main thing keeping some of them alive are the people, many of them Indigenous, standing up against those who want to clear the land.
Today, I want to explain why life is becoming increasingly dangerous for forest defenders and other environmental activists.Today, I want to explain why life is becoming increasingly dangerous for forest defenders and other environmental activists.
In the last decade at least 1,733 people have died defending the environment, according to a report by Global Witness, an environmental watchdog group. No region has been more dangerous than Latin America. Over two-thirds of the deaths recorded by Global Witness happened in the region. Brazil, where I’m writing this, tops the list. Most murders of Brazilian activists happened in the Amazon rainforest.In the last decade at least 1,733 people have died defending the environment, according to a report by Global Witness, an environmental watchdog group. No region has been more dangerous than Latin America. Over two-thirds of the deaths recorded by Global Witness happened in the region. Brazil, where I’m writing this, tops the list. Most murders of Brazilian activists happened in the Amazon rainforest.
Latin America is one of the world’s most violent places in general, and that’s largely because of the drug trade. What scares many of the activists and law enforcement officials in Brazil I’ve talked to in recent months is the fact that drug cartels are becoming more deeply involved in environmental crime.Latin America is one of the world’s most violent places in general, and that’s largely because of the drug trade. What scares many of the activists and law enforcement officials in Brazil I’ve talked to in recent months is the fact that drug cartels are becoming more deeply involved in environmental crime.
One of the main reasons is that, in recent years, the Amazon has become an important drug route. (Here’s a map.) The cartels running these routes are professional, heavily armed and extremely violent.One of the main reasons is that, in recent years, the Amazon has become an important drug route. (Here’s a map.) The cartels running these routes are professional, heavily armed and extremely violent.
The areas they need to dominate to make these routes work overlap with regions where illegal logging, mining, land-grabbing and other environmental crimes are rampant. Officials say they think overlapping interests are generating alliances between these different criminal groups.The areas they need to dominate to make these routes work overlap with regions where illegal logging, mining, land-grabbing and other environmental crimes are rampant. Officials say they think overlapping interests are generating alliances between these different criminal groups.
Another factor: Getting involved in environmental crime carries little risk for the cartels. As one federal police official here explained to me a few months ago, the cost of plundering nature is low. Trafficking cocaine could get you up to 15 years in jail in Brazil. Illegally mining for gold could get you one.Another factor: Getting involved in environmental crime carries little risk for the cartels. As one federal police official here explained to me a few months ago, the cost of plundering nature is low. Trafficking cocaine could get you up to 15 years in jail in Brazil. Illegally mining for gold could get you one.
Beto Marubo, a leader and organizer from the Javari Valley Indigenous territory, said he had seen exactly that. “Today organized gangs that had no role in environmental crime are starting to do it,” he told me. “If there is an opportunity to make more profits, why not?”Beto Marubo, a leader and organizer from the Javari Valley Indigenous territory, said he had seen exactly that. “Today organized gangs that had no role in environmental crime are starting to do it,” he told me. “If there is an opportunity to make more profits, why not?”
It was near his land, near Brazil’s border with Peru, that the journalist Dom Phillips and an Indigenous expert, Bruno Pereira, were killed this year.It was near his land, near Brazil’s border with Peru, that the journalist Dom Phillips and an Indigenous expert, Bruno Pereira, were killed this year.
The pattern has been repeated across the region. As my colleague Nick Casey showed, illegally mined gold that poisons rivers is an important source of income for organized crime in Colombia. My colleague Catrin Einhorn also found an organized crime connection to illegal fishing that’s threatening to wipe out the vaquita porpoise in Mexico.The pattern has been repeated across the region. As my colleague Nick Casey showed, illegally mined gold that poisons rivers is an important source of income for organized crime in Colombia. My colleague Catrin Einhorn also found an organized crime connection to illegal fishing that’s threatening to wipe out the vaquita porpoise in Mexico.
In theory, there’s an international pact to help fight this kind of crime: The Escazú Agreement, the first environmental treaty in Latin America. Governments that sign the pact commit to preventing and investigating attacks on environmental defenders.In theory, there’s an international pact to help fight this kind of crime: The Escazú Agreement, the first environmental treaty in Latin America. Governments that sign the pact commit to preventing and investigating attacks on environmental defenders.
It entered into force in April last year. But some of the deadliest countries for activists, like Colombia and Brazil, have yet to join.It entered into force in April last year. But some of the deadliest countries for activists, like Colombia and Brazil, have yet to join.
Doing so could give a boost to environmental defenders. So many of them I’ve interviewed through the years are terrified because they have no one to turn to. They give up their safety and their sanity to report the destruction they see to prosecutors and the police. Often, nothing happens.Doing so could give a boost to environmental defenders. So many of them I’ve interviewed through the years are terrified because they have no one to turn to. They give up their safety and their sanity to report the destruction they see to prosecutors and the police. Often, nothing happens.
Last year, for example, I interviewed a rubber tapper who was threatened by land-grabbers who wanted him to leave his home in the Amazon rainforest. He reported the threats to several law enforcement agencies and journalists, but no one has yet been held accountable.Last year, for example, I interviewed a rubber tapper who was threatened by land-grabbers who wanted him to leave his home in the Amazon rainforest. He reported the threats to several law enforcement agencies and journalists, but no one has yet been held accountable.
When Dom died, a lot of my journalist friends who report in the Amazon said it was evidence that there was a war against nature.When Dom died, a lot of my journalist friends who report in the Amazon said it was evidence that there was a war against nature.
It got me thinking about how similar it is to the so-called war on drugs that the world has waged for so many decades. Criminals grow rich, corrupt officials look away and communities of color are left to count the dead.It got me thinking about how similar it is to the so-called war on drugs that the world has waged for so many decades. Criminals grow rich, corrupt officials look away and communities of color are left to count the dead.
Coming up on Thursday, Oct. 13: Vanessa Friedman, chief fashion critic at The New York Times, explores the environmental impact of Fashion Week. Can it ever really be sustainable? You can register to watch for free.Coming up on Thursday, Oct. 13: Vanessa Friedman, chief fashion critic at The New York Times, explores the environmental impact of Fashion Week. Can it ever really be sustainable? You can register to watch for free.
Hurricane meets housing crunch: Losses from the storm are just coming into focus. But what is clear is that recovery will be hardest on people already struggling to make ends meet.Hurricane meets housing crunch: Losses from the storm are just coming into focus. But what is clear is that recovery will be hardest on people already struggling to make ends meet.
How Ian got so strong: Warm water in the Gulf of Mexico helped the hurricane become one of the most powerful to hit the United States in the past decade.How Ian got so strong: Warm water in the Gulf of Mexico helped the hurricane become one of the most powerful to hit the United States in the past decade.
Three ways to build back smarter: The hurricane ravaged parts of southwestern Florida. Rebuilding with climate change in mind would make a big difference when future storms hit.Three ways to build back smarter: The hurricane ravaged parts of southwestern Florida. Rebuilding with climate change in mind would make a big difference when future storms hit.
Cuba after the hurricane: Protesters took to the streets of several cities last week to demand the government restore electricity and provide aid.Cuba after the hurricane: Protesters took to the streets of several cities last week to demand the government restore electricity and provide aid.
Pakistan after the floods: Indebted farmers are scrambling to salvage whatever they can from the battered remains of their cotton and rice crops.Pakistan after the floods: Indebted farmers are scrambling to salvage whatever they can from the battered remains of their cotton and rice crops.
Optimistic art: Mary Mattingly’s work addresses future climate crises while trying to make the urban environment a better place to live right now.Optimistic art: Mary Mattingly’s work addresses future climate crises while trying to make the urban environment a better place to live right now.
A ‘visionary’ inventor and educator: Nick Holonyak Jr., who pioneered energy-efficient LED lamps and developed lasers that enabled DVD players, has died at 93.A ‘visionary’ inventor and educator: Nick Holonyak Jr., who pioneered energy-efficient LED lamps and developed lasers that enabled DVD players, has died at 93.
The Outlaw Ocean podcast from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation told the story of the vigilantes who hunted the world’s most wanted illegal fishing ship.The Outlaw Ocean podcast from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation told the story of the vigilantes who hunted the world’s most wanted illegal fishing ship.
From Inside Climate News: In a first, the U.N. Human Rights Committee told the Australian government to pay Native islanders for harm caused by climate change.From Inside Climate News: In a first, the U.N. Human Rights Committee told the Australian government to pay Native islanders for harm caused by climate change.
A report reviewed by The Guardian suggested that up to 40 percent of what the World Bank described as climate-related spending in 2020 was impossible to verify.A report reviewed by The Guardian suggested that up to 40 percent of what the World Bank described as climate-related spending in 2020 was impossible to verify.
From Yale Environment 360: As Himalayan glaciers melt, a water crisis looms for a billion people in South Asia.From Yale Environment 360: As Himalayan glaciers melt, a water crisis looms for a billion people in South Asia.
Companies are borrowing trillions cheaply by issuing bonds linked to climate goals. But a Bloomberg investigation found the targets are either weak or irrelevant.Companies are borrowing trillions cheaply by issuing bonds linked to climate goals. But a Bloomberg investigation found the targets are either weak or irrelevant.
There are very few books, TV shows or other tools to help parents and teachers talk to preschoolers about climate change. “Octonauts: Above and Beyond” is one of the first to try. The program attempts to strike a delicate balance: gently showing 3- and 4-year-olds that their world is already changing, without frightening them.There are very few books, TV shows or other tools to help parents and teachers talk to preschoolers about climate change. “Octonauts: Above and Beyond” is one of the first to try. The program attempts to strike a delicate balance: gently showing 3- and 4-year-olds that their world is already changing, without frightening them.
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Douglas Alteen contributed to Climate Forward. Read past editions of the newsletter here.Douglas Alteen contributed to Climate Forward. Read past editions of the newsletter here.
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Reach us at climateforward@nytimes.com. We read every message, and reply to many!Reach us at climateforward@nytimes.com. We read every message, and reply to many!