The Amazon is in great danger from dehydration and dieback. It's a self-reinforcing, exponential process. It is very likely that within a few decades parts the size of several European countries will dry up and burn. This will release enormous amounts of CO2 that are not included in the models of the IPCC. Scientists, such as the world renown Earth system scientist Carlos Nobre, are talking about potentially 300 gigatons of extra CO2, resulting in an additional 0.25 C of global warming, again, all happening within a few decades. Recent research has shown that the area has now become a net greenhouse gas emitter. Much sooner, huge problems will arise from extreme droughts in large parts of South America. Failing hydroelectricity production, crop failures and cities running out of drinking water will result, as well as massive price increases in the world food market leading to widespread famine. In short, we absolutely cannot afford this. The great defenders of the Amazon are the Indigenous peoples who are courageously defending not just their land but also the genocide and ecocide that is perpetrated on this area since the colonial era. The world needs to embrace the great forest, protect and regenerate it. It is possible if we put our hearts, minds and means to it.
Panelists
Sonia Guajajara is a Brazilian indigenous activist, environmentalist, and politician. A member of the Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL), she was initially a candidate for President of Brazil in the 2018 election, before being chosen as the vice presidential running mate of nominee Guilherme Boulos. This made her the first indigenous person to run for a federal executive position in Brazil.
Marina Silva served as a Senator for the state of Acre, Brazil for 16 years, in and was Brazilian Minister of the Environment from 2003 to 2008 in which huge stride were made to protect the Amazon Rainforest and nature in general in Brazil. She rain for president in 2010, 2014 and 2018 and is the founder and former spokeswoman for the Sustainability Network Party (REDE).
Antonio Donato Nobre is a scientist and an activist for a cause he embraced 36 years ago when he began researching the Amazon rainforest. Antonio was a senior researcher for the National Institute of Amazonia Research (INPA) and the Brazilian Space Agency INPE. He is the author of the 2014 report ‘’The Climate Future of the Amazon Rainforest”, has given several TED talks and is one of the scientists studying the biotic pump mechanism on how forests are rain makers. He is currently involved in large projects to reforest deserts in the Middle East and launched the concept of a Great Green Wall for the Amazon to avert the dieback of the forest.
Célia Xakriabá is an indigenous educator and activist of the Xakriabá people of Brazil. She is best known for holding debates and lectures at universities in Brazil promoting, among other things, advancement of the status and rights of indigenous women, indigenous land rights, and indigenous education.
Panel moderators
Marcus Vinicius Ribeiro is a former Brazilian federal prosecutor and investment banker. He is the recipient of the Bella Fella Awards, and he serves on the boards of a range of institutions including R20 – Regions of Climate Change, the Museum of Tomorrow, First Future Earth Forum and UN Blockchain Commission for Sustainable Development.
Rob de Laet studied philosophy, former eco-tourism operator, Earth full-time climate activist, focusing on the Amazon forest, a member of the Amazon Investor Coalition team, board member of Guardians Worldwide, the World Climate School and co-architect of the Great Green Wall initiative to avert the dieback of the Amazon Rainforest.
Recommended reading and links for those who want to learn more:
Amazon tipping point: Last chance for action
Averting the Tipping Point of Dieback version 22-10-2021 general.pptx
Amazon 4.0” Project: Defining a Third Way for the Amazon
The Biotic Pump: How Forests Create Rain
Biotic Pump Greening Group
Co-Convener:
Jim Garrison, President, Ubiquity University
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