Helder Barbalho: the ‘King of the North’ uses talk of protecting the Amazon to grow his power
Even though it's his second time leading a state that is one of the worst offenders when it comes to deforestation, garimpo mining operations, and criminal fires, the political heir of the Barbalho clan, one of Brazil's most powerful oligarchies, is managing to sell the image of a ‘green governor’
Luciana Gatti: ‘The Amazon is no longer offsetting human damage’
The scientist Luciana Gatti, who discovered the forest’s declining capability to absorb carbon dioxide emissions caused by human action, shows in a new study that in climatic terms the effects of deforestation under Bolsonaro were the equivalent to the most extreme El Niño ever recorded
Amazon Summit: Oil projects keep flowing despite civil society opposition
A lone voice in the defense of generations to come, Colombian President Gustavo Petro has proposed a ban on new oil contracts in the planet’s largest tropical rainforest, but Lula and the leaders of the other six countries who will be in Belém do not appear to support him
Latin America busts 1.5 ºC hopes with fossil fuel investments
Countries are betting on oil and gas in the Amazon and beyond, but not without resistance. Civil society in Ecuador has secured a referendum on exploration in the rainforest, while Colombia’s President Petro is trying to free his country from coal
When fixing up Belém for COP-30, does anything go?
Controversial mining company behind two of Brazil’s worst environmental disasters funds public works to make Helder Barbalho’s state “sustainable.” Meanwhile, those on the frontline of climate change are shoved to the sidelines of the climate debate.
Carbon Cowboys: Pará’s Public Defender accuses local government of land theft
A lawsuit points to misappropriation of public areas in five state agroextractive settlements, with involvement by companies and the city hall
Carbon cowboys: Prosecutor’s Office issues guidance on forest peoples’ rights
Document says there should be government agency oversight of carbon credit contracts, prior consultation, a clear division of benefits, and public announcements of the process
Lula administration seeks ‘conciliatory solution’ for Waimiri Atroari genocide during military dictatorship
A report exclusively shown to SUMAÚMA shows chemical weapons were used in the massacre of eight villages in 1970 during the construction of highway BR-174. A retired colonel and Bolsonaro appointee has been appointed to a legal case against the federal government
‘Carbon cowboys’ ride into an Amazonian storm
A SUMAÚMA investigation reveals carbon credit companies are trying to secure deals on protected and disputed public lands, including indigenous territories, prompting concerns about ‘green land grabs.’ While the money from carbon credit deals can bring benefits, public prosecutors have accused some agents of contract abuses in their dealings with forest populations. Against this backdrop, there is a growing clamour for the government to establish ground rules
Anti-Marina politicians in Amapá spread disinformation over Amazon oil drilling plans
Deputies and senators in the state of Amapá have organized a public hearing to try to discredit the environment ministry’s decision to block exploration in the Mouth of the Amazon River. They allowed no counter-argument or scientific debate and left it too late for indigenous communities to build a consensus. Instead they hammered home a political message and campaigned for pro-drilling Randolfe Rodrigues to replace Marina Silva as Minister of the Environment and Climate Change.
