In honour of journalist Dom Philips and indigenista Bruno Pereira, a gathering of Indigenous leaders, human rights and environmental defenders, researchers, and practitioners came together on Earth Day to celebrate their lives and build hope for ‘How to Save the Amazon.’
The newly launched paperback version of the book ‘How to Save the Amazon’ uncovers drivers of deforestation and searches for solutions; it explores how we can fight ecological destruction and stand in solidarity with the frontline defenders of the Amazon. The manuscript was completed by a group of journalists, experts, and friends, after Dom and Bruno were tragically killed while researching the book.
Dr Aline Soterroni, Oxford researcher in the Nature-based Solutions Initiative, joined a panel on corporate accountability and human rights – key themes from the book. Aline highlighted the importance of the Amazon Soy Moratorium – a landmark agreement for decoupling soy expansion from direct deforestation – and of how fragile voluntary agreements such as this can be in face of political shifts. She emphasised the role of science to help re-centre action and strengthen policy, pointing to her previous findings showing that expanding the Soy Moratorium to the Cerrado biome is feasible.
The day was filled with stories, science, and people who care deeply for the Amazon and the people who dedicate themselves to protecting it.
-
- Yadvinder Malhi welcomed everyone to the evening
-
- Adana Omágua Kambeba – Indigenous doctor and shaman-in-training – brought the day to a close with a powerful song.
Deepest thanks to all the contributors and organisers of the day, including Instituto Dom Phillips, Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery, Ithaka, Oxford University Museum of Natural History and Global Canopy.
-
- The evening featured an exhibition of Aline’s photos from the Peoples’ March at COP30, Belém.
-
- Chris Jarvis from the Museum delighted visitors with facts about the importance of the entire rainforest ecosystem
Read more about the COP30 Peoples’ March here.
Read more about why the Soy Moratorium is critical for protecting the Amazon here.
This article was originally published on the NbSI website