The Amazon Rainforest Impacts Indigenous People
The Amazon Rainforest has become a massive world issue now. You may have heard someone call the Amazon Rainforest the “lungs of the earth”. Yet we are burning the Rainforest down? Sadly the world in another situation once again where we selfishly choose to do what we have to in order to get what we want in the easiest most ideal way we can at the time at the cost of the life of our planet.
We are burning down the Amazon Rainforest killing off plants and animals along with the
homes of approximately 400 Indigenous groups who live off the land in the Rainforest.
And what makes this so ideal for people to come into the rainforest and burn down the trees?
Well, there are a couple of factors. The Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro has turned a blind eye
to those breaking the law to clear land in the Amazon which right away without words is
allowing and giving permission to those who want to clear the land. Although Bolsonaro
has not come out and said people are welcome to go in there and burn the rainforest to the
ground he may as well have since he pardons those who do.
homes of approximately 400 Indigenous groups who live off the land in the Rainforest.
And what makes this so ideal for people to come into the rainforest and burn down the trees?
Well, there are a couple of factors. The Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro has turned a blind eye
to those breaking the law to clear land in the Amazon which right away without words is
allowing and giving permission to those who want to clear the land. Although Bolsonaro
has not come out and said people are welcome to go in there and burn the rainforest to the
ground he may as well have since he pardons those who do.
The worst part is Indigenous groups live in the Rainforestand they hunt and live off the land. The Amazon has been
home to these Indigenous groups for thousands of years
and all of a sudden their homes are being burnt down and
they are being assassinated
for trying to protect
their homes. The Indigenous people who can no longer
live off the land have had to go live amongst the people who
took their home and by spending their lives in isolation and only knowing
their customs and languages these people are poor and end up becoming peasants
with a language barrier.
What in the world would be so important to people to burn down the amazon rainforest without
guilt and total disregard for those they are hurting? The disappointing truth on why the lungs of
the earth are collapsing and people are dying is because of cows. Yes, you read that right….
Cows. but its not only cows its cows, mining, logging and palm oil.
guilt and total disregard for those they are hurting? The disappointing truth on why the lungs of
the earth are collapsing and people are dying is because of cows. Yes, you read that right….
Cows. but its not only cows its cows, mining, logging and palm oil.
I don’t know about you but I don't think those 4 things are worth losing the Amazon Rainforest
along with the lives of many Indigenous people over.
along with the lives of many Indigenous people over.
Why is there such a big discrepancy between Brazil and the Indigenous groups?
For such a large world issue, some may believe it is an issue with an unclear solution hence making it a world issue. Unfortunately, that is not the case. This crisis is so simple and comes down to the fact that there is a discrepancy between the beliefs of brazil with Bolsonaro the president and the Indigenous people who have been living off the land of the Amazon. However, the Brazil President has much more power making it easier for him to carry out what he wants. Bolsonaro has admitted to believing and being backed by other people with the idea that the “Indians should be treated as though they were real caveman” he also doesn’t think that these Indigenous communities should exist and in fact, wants to open them up for logging and agriculture yet those who have been forced to leave the rainforest and live a more western life are not given compensation for leaving. How in the world does Bolsonaro expect these people to join the western way of living and survive? They have no money or food and above all, they speak a completely different language and based on how long most have been isolated in that rainforest with no outside contact it is very unlikely for them to know how to communicate with those outside of their community. This instantly starts them off in a new place with absolutely nothing to their name and no chance at a job.
How do you think the Indigenous would feel? Indigenous people are faced with a very difficult situation. Their options are to either fight for their home which also includes putting their lives and possibly family and friends live at risk or they join the people on the outside in a culture they are foreign to with no compensation, no money, food, jobs and once again the Indigenous people are the minority. I don’t know about you but that would not be something I would want to do.
So what is in store for us in the future? The reality is the damage that is being inflicted on the Amazon Rainforest is permanent. We are heading towards a scary world that will impact the whole world not just the surrounding areas of the Rainforest. There are so many people who disagree with touching the Rainforest yet there are so many people who see the benefit of using the land for other things to make more money or to expand their business. With the number of people who agree with what people are doing to the Rainforest, it makes it extremely difficult for people to try and help. This issue has become ugly and those who have tried to stand up and protect the Rainforest have been killed.
Here is a video you can watch covering many different issues to possibly help you further understand.
So I guess the big question is, is it worth it?
Is the damage being caused to the lungs of our earth worth the extra land for cattle?
The gold mines? The palm oil plantations? The logging? And above all the money people
are making off of it? I personally would say it’s not worth it. I would say it will never be worth
it no matter how much money people are making from it. I strongly believe our Rainforest is
something we need to protect.
The gold mines? The palm oil plantations? The logging? And above all the money people
are making off of it? I personally would say it’s not worth it. I would say it will never be worth
it no matter how much money people are making from it. I strongly believe our Rainforest is
something we need to protect.
Beth Wenzel
The following is a list of 7 organizations where you can help support the Amazon Rainforest.
Amazon Watch fight the destruction of the Amazon supports Indigenous rights and
finds climate justice solutions
finds climate justice solutions
Amazon Conservation Team works hand-in-hand with Indigenous leaders to ensure the
long-term welfare of the Amazon Rainforest
long-term welfare of the Amazon Rainforest
Amazon Conservation Association has trained hundreds of conservationists who work to
support the restoration of the Amazon Rainforest and sustainable Indigenous-led economies.
The organization has planted more than 275,000 trees to date
support the restoration of the Amazon Rainforest and sustainable Indigenous-led economies.
The organization has planted more than 275,000 trees to date
There is no protecting the Amazon without Indigenous communities leading the way.
Survival international recognizes the imperative and works to amplify the voices of Indigenous
leaders
Survival international recognizes the imperative and works to amplify the voices of Indigenous
leaders
The international working group for Indigenous affairs focuses on protecting Indigenous
cultures, which always includes an environment-first approach
cultures, which always includes an environment-first approach
The Rainforest action network “preserves forests, protects the climate, and upholds
human rights by challenging corporate power and systemic injustice through frontline
partnerships and strategic campaigns
human rights by challenging corporate power and systemic injustice through frontline
partnerships and strategic campaigns
The Rainforest Trust has saved more than 23 million acres of the Amazon Rainforest since
1988 by funding projects that restore and protect ecosystems
1988 by funding projects that restore and protect ecosystems
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